The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-29
SEVEN ALARMS IN
five HOURS Time
Richmond Fire Department Had Busy
Afternoon and Evening
Yesterday.
LIGHTNING FIRES RESIDENCE
Highland Park Home Damaged $500
Worth--Two Mules and HORSE
Burned In Sbockoe Warehouse
Stable Fire.

Yesterday was busy one for Rich
mond fremen. There were seven
alarms of fire between the hours OF
] o'clock in the afternoon and 8
o'clock last night, and severe cleo
trical storm to boot. After the cessa-
ton of the hail and rain and the dis
continuance OF changing firebells citi-
zens were able to enjoy the rest Of
the evening in comparative calm.
Last week nine alarms were reg
istered In fifteen hours. Yesterday
sever were sounded in less than Ave
hours. The cause or but one fire could
he solved. however. and that was due
10 lightning. The causes of the other
blazes could not be discovered by
the Fire Department or property
owners.
The electrical storm OF yesterday
evening caused many who were late
IN disseminating the days toll to be
delayed In getting home. The down
pouring rain and hail halted street car
frafT1c for some time. Automobiles
principal thoroughfares. Stores along
Main and Broad Streets were crowded
with people who were awaiting the
let-up in the rain.
lightning Strikes Residence.
The only real damage caused by
the storm was done the home of G. J..
Abbott. OF 7o4 Fourth Avenue. High
land Park. which was struck by light
ming The roof of Mr.. Abbott's hons
was burned off almost entirely and
damage was done to furniture and
other property in his home by fire
and water.
John Abbott, the son of Mr.. Abbott,
was the only one In the Abbott resi-
6ence when the lightning struck 1t.
Mrs. Abbott had gone to town on a
shopping tour. Mr.. Abbotts son did
not know that tle house was on fire.
A ncighhor. living across the street,
saw the bolt strike the peak of Mr.,
Ahbotts home. which Is frame and
two and a half stories In height. The
teigebor ran across the street, rang
the door bell and told Mr.. Ahbott's
son about the nre, The roof. At this
time. WAS ahlAze
An alarm of fre was turned in ana
reighhors of Mr.. Abbott's assisted his
son in taking furniture out OF the
house. Most Of this was saved A
few minutes later Chief Wise and
engine companies Nos, 2, . and Is ar
rived on the scene. Come time was
lost in an effort to locate n water plug
After the water connection Was made.
however. the nre was extinguished in
very short while. Damage to the
property IL expected 20 reach $500.
Neither the home nor the furniture
was secured by insurance. Mr.. Abbott
recently moved TO the Highland Park
home. The houss was formerly oc-
curied by Captain w. c. Matt. who
moved away but a few weeks ago.
Mr. Abbott and his family were sue
cores by their neighbors. W. c. Rem
NE. proprietor of Rennie's Dairy, who
lives At TOO Fourth Avenue. enter
taine6 the Abbott family for the night
II is expected the repairs will be made
~ the roof today so that the home
can be occupied without delay
Chief Wise was drenching wet when
he answered the Highland Park caff
re and number of men boarded his
autom ohiie shortly before 8 o'clock
and, in the sweeping rain, went. to the
Methodist orphanage, on Broad Street
Road. where a still alarm had been
sent in. After reaching the Orph.
suage It was found that no frs existed.
a piece OF wood had fallen on the