The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-19
Fire Loss Is 100000;
Nine MEN HURT
Ce.ti.ued From Fir.t pawe.

partment.
When the first fremen got to the
building smoke could be seen at all
of the windows but there was no glare
of fire. However, before an improvised
water tower, on the Mt. Vernon ladder
truck, could be brought into play at the
third floor windows of the central
building, a four-structure, the flames
came so close to the tower that it had
to be moved back further from the
building.
Attacked From Many Sides
The Hope Company, with it's steam
er in front of the Bolton hotel, sent
stream into the front windows of the
second floor. Other engine streams were
played on the flames both from the
front and back. Streams also were play
ed from the roof of Gross drug store,
Market street, and through the Cen
trail Democratic Club s window which
opens on court at the north side, of
the Kaufman building. through an al
leyway at the rear of the Kuhn Car
pet Company building and from the
roof of the building of A. s. McCreath
d Son, on Market street. Streams also
were played from the roofs of build
ings to the south Of the fiercely burn
ing structure.
The group of Kaufman stores con-
sisted OF a four-story central building
with three-story building on each
side. The central building was of
brick with metal and glass, for dis
play windows, in front.
For an hour the fire seemed to be
ah m fin to h
ing, but then it spread to the one to
the north. A wall between the north
ern Kaufman building and the building
of Solomon Kuhn, Market street and
the square. halted the flames. 1t was
2 O'Clock when it was seen that the
fire had spread to the cellar of the
Pomeroy store TO the south.
A Stubborn Blaze
This was the most stubborn blaze to
fight. A partition runs down the cen
ter of the basement. The firemen at
tempted to flood the cellar, but that
proved too slow process and floor
nozzles, which are operated from above
the floor and spray the joints, were
used both front and back with telling
effect. When the fire was finally de-
clared "under control, about 4
o'clock this morning, the Pomeroy eel
lar was three-fourths full of water.
The fire, though checked, was far from
conquered at that hour.
1t was a hazardous fire to fight and
there were numerous injuries. Arthur
Patton, of the Rely Hose Company.
was caught in the doorway of the
Kaufman building as the glass started
falling from the upper floors. He kept
his position in the doorway, escaping
serious injury. but received several
small lacerations from fying glass.
Two members of the Good Will Com
pany,, William Smith and Harry Nc
lntyre, were dragged over River street,
when branch pipe got away from
them and received cuts and lacerations.
Mcintyre was hurt about the shoulder
He was not seriously injured but Smith
was taken to the Harrisburg hospital
for treatment.
Rescued Two Firemen
P. Ellis and Robert Wilson. both of
the Citizens Company, ventured into
the front door of the Kaufman store
at $3.50 O'Clock and fell through a
burned space. Both were rescued by
members of their company. Wilson, who
resides at 1113 Wallace street. was
overcome by smoke before his compan-
ions got him to safety. and he was
taken to the Harrisburg hospital, where
he was revived. Ellis waSonly slightly
hurt.
Samuel Diener, 2010 North Sixth
street, trod on skylight on the roof
OF the Kaufman store at o clock and
was unconscious from inhaling smoke
when members of his COMPANY rescued
him. He was in such a serious condi-
tion that he was admitted to n ward
IN the Harrisburg hospital. His condi-
tlon was said to be much improved this
morning and it is expected he will be
sent to his home late to-day.
Fireman Shoemaker Hurt in Fall
George Shoemaker, I21 North street.
member of the Hope Company, slipped
from ladder<and fell twelve feet. re.
celvlng severe bruise of the left side
of his chest. Physicians in the Har.
rlsourg hospital strapped his chest to
protect any possible fractured rlps.- He
Is member of the Governors S Troop
and was prevented from taking part in
the inaugural parade to-day.
Harry Corkle, 41O South River
street, member of the Paxton Com.
pany, was treated in the HARRISBURG
hospital for bruises about the head. He
jumped from a guide wire at the rear
of Kaufman s store.
Falling glass in the Pomeroy store
this morning at 1915 clock badly lac
Grated the left hand of Charles Flamer.
$50 Kelker street, a member of the
Rely Hose Company He, too, was
treated in the Harrisburg hospirai.
A score of Others received slight in
Juries or were affected by smoke and
were treated by their comrades. The
smoke was particularly bad because of
the humidity of the atmosphere, which
kept the fumes low.
The city was filed with visitors here
to attend the Inauguration and hun
dreds watched the blaze, but were kept
In hand well by the police, who early
established fire lines. 1t was AN easy
proposition to rope off sufficient space
for the fremen to work in because
standards for ropes for to-day's parade
had been placed yesterday by the City
Highway Department. Ropes were
strung through these poles. Chief of
Police Hutchison was in personal charge
of this work.
Losses on Market Street
The fire assumed immense proper
tions almost from the start and all of
the persons in the block facing Market
street from Second to River streets en-