Evening journal., 1919-04-01
M'MAH0N BROTHERS.
WAREHOUSE BURNED;
s15O,00o DAMAGE
Five-Story Brick Building
at Third and Orange
Streets Gutted
LED OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN
" Firemen Get Spectacular
J Blaze Under Control
After Hard Fight

firc OF unknown origin, which started
shortly before two o'clock yesterday
afternoon, caused damage estimated at
$4,000 TO the hye.story brick ware
house of McMahon Brothers, Third and
tetange streets, before IL was gotten un-
der control several hours later.
Tho blaze, which originated at the
front on the fourth floor, was discovered 4
by Ralph Mustard, who was in a stable
across the streets, and who turned in an
alarm. AZ. that time dense smoke was
issuing from the front windows on the
fourth and ffth floors,
The building is a Largo structure run
ming more than half a block from Orange |
street toward Tatnall AZ the time Of |
the FIRE Il was fully stocked with new
and old furniture, being used as a ware
house by McMahon Brothers, who have |
their main store at Sixth and King
streetfg The value Of the contents could /
not be learned, Mr.. Mcmahon being un-
able 10 make an estimate, but II is
believed that II viii total 100000. The
$4,000
Due to the fact that another alarm
was turned in at the same time. for an
inconsequential FIRE at SIS King street,
in the roofing establishment Of c. c. Cole, h
some OF the firemen were confused, and
in consequence some Of the district CON-
panios were delayed in getting 20 the Nc
Mahon fire, some having irst gone to the
King street address.
However, the news soon spread in the
heart Of the city that there was a serious
hre at Third and Orange streets and the /
engines in the district got there as quick /
ly as possible, and they lost no time in
getting TO work Chief Hyndman and
| his assistants were also there. being
among the early arrivals. The chief took
personal charge OF the work, and SON he
had half dozen powerful streams on
the Third and Orange street sides of she
building. For some reason, however, the
glass in some Of the windows was stub
born and IL was necessary 10 pelt them
/ with missiles in order 70 break the glass, !
30 that the work Of the fircmcn could be .
moro affective Z
The water pressure in the rear Of tho :
burning building appeared to be very
weak. In fact, half an hour after the
fire started only one stream could be
seen playing in the rear windows, and
il could reach only TO the third floor,
while flames were shooting from both
Of the floors above as well as from the
third.
The blaze spread rapidly and soon
had gotten down to the second floor
aud was still spreading. gradually
working its way toward Tatnall street
IL is, understood that the company
had its paint and varnish department
on the fourth floor, and the supposition
is that tho blaze started there.
The fremen had to work during part |
Of she time in drenehing rain. The
fire ground was guarded by large force
of policemen. who roped OF the danger
zone and kept the crowd back. A de-
tail of military police arrived later and
helped keep the crowd back
Cndcr the direction OF the Messrs. Nc
Mahon, a large quantity OF furnitIre
was carried from the burning building
TO the yard in the rear. which has an
opening on Tatnall street. It was not
possible. however, to prevent some OF
this being damaged by water, which was
coming down from the upper stories. II
was the opinion, an hour after the nre
started. that If the whole building was
not destroyed, practically everything
would be ruined, either by fire, water OF
smoke.
In tho rear of the warehouse Is sta,
bic belonging to the McMaton 70, Sns ~
in Il they had a number OF horses, az ~ u
| which were rotten ont in safety In ,
same is true Of the company $ au'oner i
biIes stored in a garage in the IeHi 49, s
also. -. bowever. for
the safety Of a partly frame sssOi' .J nm. T "a
ioiniur the McMahon proPei.y boSscs az
| ,,ing hlck OF the Orange. 49, Ns'.,a,, owt la
What horses we're ,ne.v r,,hers near them. n
before tho fire got AnyWnsi VIZ. ~, ,r,nerfv = bs
,g,'s,. arc said 10 have been the properly an
OF local bakers. ,.s tbiol-fvl 81
LID scefion Of the city, it caused a iot ~
=, neiobbors alarm, and many OF those
,t,.;nc ou' Orange street between Second - -
,nJ fhird began moving their effects out - -
mi Stood ready TO vacate at moments x1
,otieo Some, fearing that the whole " "
,Ioet was doomed. did the same thing on g
ratnall and Third streets. -
All Fourth street cars were tied up,
.eeause il was necessary to lay hose
cross the tracks at Orange street.
At 3 o'clock, after the fire had eaten y
retty heavily into the front part of the II
nilding on the second, third, fourth and $
fth floors, and in parts OF those floors =
ad gone back toward Tatnall street, .
lore than half way. il seemed as ii the {
laze was under control and that tsehre-i
lcn would be able TO eonhne II TO that
nc building.
A Herman named Jones, Of the Wecca-
oe Company, was hit on the head BY
he nozzle OF hose. he was treated ON
b espot and returned to work.
The electric wires on Tatnall street
we're a slight embarrassment to the fire.
ncn at the start, but this was later
remedied when ladders we're raised along
the burning building.
A number OF employees of the NlcNIahon
who were working in the ware.
house did not know it was on fire until
they were told by Mr.. Mustard, who had
discovered the blaze from across f0o
street.