Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-02-06
PETER PETERSEN BADLY BURNED
In Fire That Threatened to Consume ii
Furniture Stock Of A. e. Harnon -

In Fire That Threatened to Consume the
Furniture Stock Of A.C. Harnea
Early Monday morning the fire alarm
aroused the citizens of the town of An
dubon to the fact that fire threatened
to destroy one Of the leading business
houses of the town. While starting .
fire in the stove at the furniture store
Of A. G. Harmon, Peter Petersen, .
trusted employee, used some kerosiae
from can containing about three
gallons. While in the act of pouring
the oil into the stove. the oil ignited,
causing an explosion which set fire to
Mr.. Petersen's clothing and everything
else in the rear in the store room. Mr..
Petersen ran out of the burning build
irg with his entire body enveloped in
flames, to the Jens Haals barber shop,
where the flames were smothered out,
but not until Mr.. Petersen was SO badly
burned that there is little hope for his
recovery. He was taken at once to the
residence of T. F. Mason where His
clothing was removed and his wounds
dressed. His head face, body and limbs
were burned, and physicians claim more
than half Of the sick of his entire body
is involved.
Before anyone could reach the store
room, the flames had gained such head
way that for a moment the entire
building seemed doomed. But thank
to the super.human efforts of the fire.
men, the blaze was soon conquered and
confined to the rear end of the building.
The furniture however, is practically q
total loss, for the smoke water and heat
blistered the varnish and cracked almost
all of the glass and perishable material.
The heat was SO intense in the
building that practically all of the
window lights in the side of the build
ing and the large plate glass in the
front were cracked and broken. Wa3er
also did great deal of damage 30 the
furniture and rugs. The members of
the fire department made quick re-
spone and within few moments had
three lines Of hose playing on the FIRE.
They worked with remarkable accuracy
and had it not been for their heu1dic
work different story would have
been written.
The building was damaged to the ex-
tent of $1,000 to $500 with no fu1nDw-
ance. The contents would total at
least $4,000 and is covered by insurance
amounting to $500, carried in three
different companies, $4,000 with the Des
Moines State. $500 with the Eatna Fire.
and $4,000 with the Continental OF N. Y.
Adjusters are expected to arrive in the
city today to adjust the loss which will
fall heavily on Mr.. Harmon regardless
of his insurance, This added to the
fact that he will be out of business q
couple of weeks adds additional loss.
But Mr.. Harmon will continue in business
and as soon as the building is refinf1hed,
will conduct his business at the old
stand. The building is owned by
Earnest and Chris Mikkelsen and they
have already put carpenters at work
making new windows and doors. glass
is on the way for the front. wall paper
has been ordered by wire and tomorrow.
or Monday at the latest, workmen will
be putting the building in repair.
The most regretable feature Of the
accident is the injuries sustained by
Peter Petersen. His life hangs by a
thread. He was popular young man
and liked by all who knew him.s Ev-
eryone will only be to glad to receive
word from the hospital at Atlantic.
where he was taken at noon M6nday.
that he is recovering.