The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-11-14
JOHNSON
SHOP IS
RUINED
Decorating Establishment
Adjoining Forum Office
Is Gutted
TOTAL LOSS ABOUT $4,000
Bosch Magnetic Station Also
Damaged-Occupants of
Apartments Move Out

The most stubborn fire the Fargo
firemen have had to contend with for
some time,-causing nearly $4,000
damage, driving several people into
zero weather in their night clothes
occurred last night in the three-story
building at 73 Fifth street north. The
basement and half of the first floor is
occupied by the Fred Johnson Decorat-
ing Co.. the other half being the
Bosch magnetic service station owned
by Howard Tilden. upper floors being
occupied as apartments.
After a strenuous fight from II
o'clock last night until 2 o'clock this
morning, the firemen confined the
blaze to the basement and first floor.
The scond and third floors of the
building are occupied by the Ellis
rooming house. and while the flames
did not reach this portion Of the build
ing the entire two floors were filled
with choking smoke that effectually
blocked escape by way of the front
stairway. and the occupants had to
be taken out by a back stairway.
Remove Occupants.
The firemen's first effort was direct
ed to getting those on the second and
third floors to safety. The three
two other children. were removed from
the upper floors in their night CLOTH
ing, and were rushed to nearby build
ings.
Chief Sutherland of the fire depart
ment said this morning that the blaze
was one of the most stubborn that he
has had to contend with in a long
time. There was a large stock q
paints, oils and wall paper in the
basement. and the north half of the
first floor occupied by the Johnson
Decorating Co., and this created a
dense smoke that made it almost i'm
possible to enter the building.
Six lines Of hose were laid. but with
| little effect until the firemen forced
their way into the basement from the
| rear, and fought the flames at close
| range. Several Of the firemen were
| nearly overcome by the smoke. The
men worked in relays until the flames
were controlled.
Entire Stock Lost.
In the decorating establishment
| practically the entire stock was ruin
ed. A large hole was burned through
the floor, dropping part Of the stock
into the basement.
In the Tilden magnetic establish.
| ment, a hole was burned through the
| floor. ]. D. Grant had a large number
Of storage batteries stored there, valu.
| ed at $1,500. These were ruined, a;
| establishment.
The stocks of Mr.. Johnson, Mr.. Til.
den and the storage batteries stored
| by Mr.. Grant, were partially covered
| by insurance. Mr.. Johnson said this
morning that he did not know at this
time just what his stock would inven-
tory 1t is partially covered by insur-
anCe.
The origin of the fire has not been
| determined, but 1t probably was q
spontaneous combustion of a short
circuited electric wire.
Paper Stock Endangered.
The Johnson building is next door
south of The Forum building
Practically the entire paper stock OF
The Forum was in the pressrooms in
the basement of the newspaper build
ing, but was not reached by either fire
or water.
Some smoke reached the flats on the
second and third floors Of The Forum
building, but not enough to make it
necessary for the occupants Of that
building to leave.