Evening journal., 1914-01-08
FIRE RAVACES
BIG STORE OF
MILLER BROS.
Started In Basement and Gave
Firemen Stubborn Battle
For Two Hours
LOSS IS ABOUT 100000;
OPEN NEW STORE TODAY

Fire and smoke ravaged through the
building at No 213 Market street, oc-
cupied by Miller Brothers Company,
dry goods, clothing and furniture deal
ers, yesterday afternoon about
O'Clock, and before the blaze was ex-
tinguished the contents of the store
were wrecked by the fire or badly
damaged by smoke and water. It is
estimated that the damage to the
stock, furnishings and building will
amount to from $4,000 to 100000,
which is only partly covered by insur-
ance.
1t was one of the most STUBBORN
conhagrations that the local fire de-
partment has had to combat for sew
eral years. Great excitement was
caused by the fire, the store having
been crowded with customers at the
time il began. AS stated in THE
EVENING JOURNAL yesterday.
everyone was removed from the build
ing in safety, although one woman
nearly swooned and had to be assist
ed to the street.
The fire coming at this holiday sea-
son, is a worse blow than ever to the
proprietors of the store, as it will
greatly interfere with their holiday
trade Undaunted, however, by the
fire, the progressive Miller Brothers
this morning opened at No. 2O9 Mar
ket street with full line of stock,
and they Will make that place their
nrrIa ~
their regular store with an entirely
fresh stock of goods.
Ii is believed that the fire was
caused by an explosion of a hot air
furnace in the basement. The store
was crowded with shoppers, most Of
them women and children, and there
was a large force Of statesmen and
women at work, when the explosion
occurred.
It was only through the presence
of mind of the proprietors and man
ayers that a panic was averted and
all gotten out in safety. None of the
girls had even time to snatch up their
hats and coats, the first warning they
received of the fire being when the
smoke and flames belched up from
the cellar, and then it was too late
10 sup lOI dle luiu6t dAu tANA1 Wdo
barely time to fly to safety. Even
the books could not be saved then or
the safes locked, but the books were
rescued later.
1t was a spectacular fire as it hap
pened when Market street was crowd
cd with shoppers, and to add to the
excitement, several of the firemen
we're affected by the smoke and had to
I. I,0 1,ttf1dfn0
The flames we're first discovered by
George Braunstein, r. L. Cloud and
d. A. McAllister. employees at the
store, who we're engaged in the base
ment. They noticed smoke coming
from the vicinity of the furnace in the
center of the cellar, and ran toward
the scene, but before they reached
the room the whole place seemed to
burst into flames. They then ran
toward the main door to give warm
ing and escape from the basement.
but before they reached there the
flames and smoke rolled up between
the cracks in the floor.
The excitement that Immediately
prevailed was great. and the level
headed male employees and managers
took charge and helped the women
assisted to the street. but with this
exception everyone in the store reach
ed the street in safety and without
injury.
Mating, Oilcloth. Linoleum, Co
Carts, Stoves, Furniture and other
stock of infammable nature were
stored in the basement and when
ignited they burned fiercely and
caused the dense smoke that so handi-
capped the firemen. After they man
aged to get into the store, however
they quickly had the flames under
control. The flames did not get above
the first floor. but the smoke filled
the building and the first floor was
deluged
I'VE have sustained great damage to
our store and stock said Nathan
Miller this morning. "and our 1nan-
cial loss will be great. But we feel
we have not lost the confidence of our
patrons and friends. and believe they
will stand by us through our trouble
now as they have in the past. We as
sure them we will try to merit their
consideration and show our grati-
tude."