The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-11
TELEPHONE BLDG
 TO GROUND

one hose was used, then another was brought into play, and finally the third Was filled with rushing water.
 For time the department was able to confine the flames to the rear end of the building but slight breeze sprang up and swerved the hot blasts until the entire structure was a mass of scething fire.
 Thermometer Ten Below.
 The thermometer was lowering about ten below zero when the fire hrst broke out, and several of the fire fighters now sustain frozen feet and arms as a result. Some drenching wet and others laden with frozen clothing, the firemen fought bravely but their ef- forts were of little or no avail. Handi- capped by lack of water and hose, the department was able to do little against the awful agency which for while threatened the entire town
 F J. Stevens of the telephone com pany. who was one of the many who fought the fire until the last when in terviewed in regard to the amount of damage which his company will sus- tain. said
 "At the present time [ have no idea as to the total loss It k impossible to even give an approximate figure. until the ruins are checked up"
 Mir. Stevens believes that the fire was caused by defective safety fiue, while othrs contend that an heated pipe connected to a stove in the supply room, caused the confagration.
 All Lines Down.
 Local communication by wire will be cut off for twenty-four hours at least, and probably for a week or longer. All connecting wires were cut as soon as it was realized that the entire building would be gutted.
 When the roof of the struture col lapsed several fire-fghters narrowly escapd with their lives. Men were working inside of the building while flames were raging overhead. and when with little warning the roof fell in. those inside had a narrow escape
 Hot Drink for Firemen.
 In the home of Ms Ed Stevens, just across the way from the demolished telephone office. hot coffee and drinks were served to the fire fighters. Here Mrs. Riley and friends watched the progress of the fire through a window helpless. and unable to do anything which might have checked the spread Ing flames.
 Chemicals Were Employed.
 For a time before the fire depart ment arrived on the scene an effort was made to extinguish the blaze with chemicals, but this manner of checking the flames did not prove effective. Wa ter. carried in buckets, was then em ployed, but this manner of fire fighting too, was of no avail Until the hose streams were played on the blazes they leaped and spread unquenched catching on the dry timber which quickly succumbed to the flames.
 Riley Will Return.
 Manager Riley of the telephone com pany. who depaterd last Tuesday for Keewalik and Candle. on a business trip. was notified of the fire by the op- orators along the line. MT. Riley was on his way to Candle. but he will now return to Nome and take charge of affairs.
 The temporary quarters of the tele- phoen company will be located fin the small cabin next to the Mum clubs log building.
 Gater)-It is believed that commun- ication over the telephone lines will be possible by next Monday
 Shell of Building Stands.
 At one o'clock this afternoon hand chemical devices were used to put out the last smouldering traces of the fire. At l:30 o'clock the last spark of the awful conflagration died out. The shell of the building alone stands and the interior presents a sights of wreck and ruin. What was not Tapped up by the flames was destroyed by either heat or water
 Cat crawls Out.
 A few minutes after the firemen and spectators left the ruins an old black cat crawld out from under a heap of charred timber. The little