The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-13
Damage Is Estimated at $30,000-Seven Horses
 Burned to Death
LOSS IS COVERED
 BY INSURANCE
Blaze Is Very Spectacular and Att tracts Hundreds of Spectators. Maxim and Bennett Issue
 Statements

Another fire to the disastrous series of confiagrations that have visited Birming ham in the past few weeks, happened this morning when the large warehous, of the Tennessee Mill and Feed com pany at Twenty-fourth street and Morris avenue was totally destroyed by flames Seven fine horses were also burned to death. The property loss was estimated at $S0Oo0 and is fully covered by insur ance.
 According to W. H. Maxim, president of the company. who was on the scene within a short time after the alarm was turned in, the origin of the fire Is un- known, as every precaution was always taken in the building to prevent fire. MT. Maxim stated that his firm will not be delayed by the fire, as it will take up it's old quarters at 2113 Morris avenue, this morning, and will be able to attend to all it's customers without serious embar- rassment
 Fire Very Spectacular
 The fire at the grain warehouse was spectacular The alarm was turned In by Officer Buckalew about 1l.1 o'clock last night, when the flames had already burst through the roof and walls of the wooden structure. For an hour there after the sky was illumined with a glow that attracted thousands from the resi- dental sections to the scene
 Fire Chief A. V. Bennett was among the first on the scene. He immediately rushed to open the stable doors to save the horses and as he opened one door one Of the horses still alive fell blindly through and stumbled to the street, where he dropped and died. The rest of the horses were already dead whvn the fremen ar rived as the fire had been burning for several minutes before the alarm was turned in.
 The fremen fought the fire desperately. Not needing the warnings of their chief not to be too reckless they forced their way into the depths of the inferno of flames and doggedly remained there. throwing water on all sides Their efforts were such that the adjacent warehouse of the Alabama Mill and Elevator com pany was saved from destruction. al- though there was but rhree feet inter vening between the buildings and the fire was so hot that spectators could moi stand within a hundred feet of the flames.
 All the downtown fire Apparatus was on the scene and three engines pumped water to furnish II streams that were directed against the flames
 Owned by General Fucker
 The warehouse of the Tennessee Mill and Feed company was large wooden structure. owned by General E. w. Rucker. It is situated on Morris ave nue and Twenty fourth street. adja- cent to the yards of the Louisville and Nashville railroad. and Is near the heart of the wholesale market dis trict
 When the fire was at its height and the whole building was enveloped in flames which lit up the surroundinr streets the bodies of the dead horses could be seen. An elderly negro-the 1river of one of the teams of the com pany, who had been attracted to the scene-saw his horses roasting in the midst of the hottest of fires He could not stand the gruesome sight and with tears trickling down his face slowly walked away
 The horses of the Tennessee Milling and Feed company were the show teams of Birmingham. They were val led at $400 each. and were splendid specimens of horse flesh
 In statement at the scene of the lire President W. H. Maxim of the company. said that there were about 10 carloads of hay within the ware house, and large stock of grain and feed. He said:
 Every PrecautiOn Taken
 T cannot understand how the fire could have started, as we have trained ]ur employees who take the greatest ,recautions to prevent fires When I eft the building at o'clock the usual 1aily inspection had taken place, and there were no signs then of fire and It seems very strange that fire should start in the building unless sparks from passing engines got through some hole in the roof and set fire to the hay. There is no other explanation to the source of the fire, as l cannot believe that it was incendiary.
 We have been in business about 12 years and up to year ago were located at 2113 Morris avenue, the quarters we shall again take up this morning at ' o clock. We do not employ watchman
 T want to state that the business of
  the Tennessee Milling and Feed company will not be delayed and that we will be able to handle all our customers from our old quarters. Of course, I am seri- ously affected by the fire, but what hurts me the most is that my horses are gone can never again get a set of such superb animals
 Fire Chief A. V. Bennett stated:
 The fire department is being kept busy with scores of alarms daily and with fires every week. but we worked hard this morning and were able 70 confine the blaze to one building I cannot un- derstand this epidemic of fires lately"
 The Tennessee Milling and Feed com pany Is one of the largest and best known wholesale grain houses in the city w. H. Maxim is president, o. A. Powell is vice president and D. H. Nunnelley is secretary.
 At 2:3O o'clock this morning the fire was under control.