The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-06-18
|C|IY BLOCK SWEPT AWAY
! BY DISASTROUS NIGHT FIRE

to approach within two hundred yards
OF :he rear OF the buildings. The
Christian church burned rapidly after
it was once started. The high tower
fortunately fell into the body Of the
building instead of across the alley
onto the Hoaglin black, fact which
undoubtedly saved this corner. The
falling tower, portion Of which fell
into the alley, nearly caught num-
ber of volunteer firemen who despite
the intense heat, were throwing water
onto the rear of the Hoagltn block.
The flames at the Madison and JEFF
ferson street corner, on account of The
brick church acting as bulwark for
so long, were fairly well concentrat-
ed. but the burning lumber yard furth-
er down the alley soon set fire to the
three residences on Jackson street
and the McLeren piano store, to.ally
destroying them. At the rear OF the
Burket hardware store and the Bird
& Crane furniture store were mum.
Der Of frame structures, which soon
caught and thus offered passageway
for the flames.
Fortunately there was little or no
wind, and the flames did not leap the
streets although number Of frame
residences caught fire, but were ex-
tinguished. Too much credit can not
be given to the heroism Of the local
fire department and the scores OF
dauntless citizens who aided them.
Handicapped by lack Of hose and In
adequate pressure, but fearless OF the
intense heat, numerous lines of hose
were dragged to the tops OF the
buildings, through the flame and
smoke hidden alley, to points where
the water would do the most good.
The lines OF hose were dragged into
.he store fronts to the rear windows
and the men, standing with wet hand
kerchiefs over their faces, kept the
stream Of water on the blaze until
overcome by smoke and heat suffoca-
tion or relieved by their comrades.
There were numerous injuries re-
rorted, largely from smoke sufoca,
tion. Rex Loftts had the artery In his
righ. arm severed by q falling plate
glass window. and II was feared for =
time that he would bleed TO death be-
fore aid could be summoned. But for
the lumber yard acting as feeder
running as 1t did the entire block,
there seems but little doubt, but tina.
The industry and courage Of the fire
lighters would have concentrated the
blaze. There were too many places
FOR the flames to leap across the alley
and the fire would no sooner be ex-
in one building than 1t
would burst forth again in remote
section OF the block.
Bucket brigades were formed and,
in cooperation with the garden nose,
The residences adjoining the block
were all well soaked down. Wet bed
ding was in numerous cases laid on
the roofs. The stock of practically
all the stores, some twenty in num-
ber. was carried ou. into the streets
and the city park, and saved In some
measure.
Another suffrasettes' Blaze.
GLASGOW, Scotland. June 49,
Fire, as disastrous as any Glasgow
has seen in many years, destroyed
the Kingston docks here today, burn
ing four vessels which lay alongside
before they could be towed to safety.
The origin OF the blaze was not def
nitely known but indications were
that it was started by suffragettes.
When the first alarm was given. the
whole land and harbor fighting force
Of the port was assembled and des-
oerate fight was begun to save the
docks which were filled with goods Of
great value. Every effort was vain,
however, the f1remen risking their
lives without result. Fully a score OF
the fire fighters were overcome by
great clouds Of smoke which rolled
I'D from the harbor front of the struc-
lures, engulfing the men who fought
CONTINUED on page 2.)