Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-28
BURNING EMBERS BLOWN
QUARTER OF A MILE
Origin of Fire, Which Started
in a Large Warehouse, is
Unknown.
Special Dispatch to Every Evening.

Special Dispatch TO Every Evening.
Milford, July IS.
Several buildings were destroyed by
Gre and a number of others badly
onmaged, here. today. causing loss
which is estimated at from $4,000
to SIS 900. partly covered by insur-
ance. The origin of the blaze. which
started at 7.45 o'clock in the Baxter
Building. at Railroad avenue and
Second street. is unknown. With the
aid of fire companies from a number
OF other towns. the fire was under
control by 10 o'clock. though the
ruins were stin burning at 2 o'clock
this afternoon.
Because OF a high wind from the
southwest. the entire business section
Of Milford and much of the residence
section was threatened. Several build
ings In different parts of town, some
four blocks from the Baxter Building.
were on FIRE at different times. and II
was difficult matter to save some
OF these properties.
A row of old maple trees on the
shore OF the Mispnlion river helped
70 save North Milford from having a
FIRE of it's own, as many of the flying
enbers lodged in the trees. which also
served TO check the force of the wind
in the direction of the north side.
According TO the best information
obtainable. the fire started in the es-
Enlistment of the Milford Storage
Battery Co. William Klobus, pro-
l,rietor. located in the Baxter building.
The principal losers are as follows
Many Lost Heavily.
Milford storage ] attery Co.-s25,
ooe. with some insurance
Thomas Baxter-sli.000
Harry Lindale. -four and feed mer-
chant. who occupied part of the build
ing--s2 500, on which there wa5 $1,000
Insurance
Pierce Hardware Co. who had ma
ehincry stored in the ouilding-S5, 600.
Grange Hall Co. owner OF Grangt
HAll-si 600 on which there was s10.-
Geo insurance.
William V. Sipple. whose marble
yard once was damaged-s1. 800, m
sured.
In addition TO the above. losses were
sustained by Garfield Post, No. 4, G
A r.. al of the effects OF which, in
sluding records. flags, &c, were burn
cd.
other losers were Dorsey Bowen.
Howard Sapp. Mark Davis, William
webb (garage proprietor). The Hote'
Windsor, the National .'otel and a
number OF others. whose buildings
we're on fire al different times.
Help Prom Numerous Towns.
In response 10 calls for help. fire
,ompanies were sent here from Har-
fington, Georgetown, Milton. Lewes
l,oVsr. Ellendale and Smyrna. All did
rood work and materially helped the
local nremcn TO prevent spread OF The
names.
The building in which the fire start
I'D. Was a large fOur-story frame
eifucture, occupying nearly half q
block. IL was owned by Thomas
Baxter OF Philadelphia. Formerly it
was occupied as shirt factory, but
Tint business was discontinued thnr''
several years ago. At the time of the
nrc the Milford Storage Battery 90
and MI. Landals were the principal
tenants. Thv battery company. which
also stored and repaired automobiles.
had several cars burned, IN addition
to plant equipment and stock. Tbs
Pierce Hardware Co. had some sur
plus stock stored in the building.
Draper a Hirsch's canning factory
one Of the largest business establish
msnts in town. located opposite the
baxter building, was one u the places
mat was ignited several times by fly
ing embers. The company's employees
with hose, however, were on the alert
and saved the property. Harry Hills
restaurant. on North Walnut street
was also on fire, but was saved, as was
also the millinery store of Miss Liz
zie Stidhan, ia the same building, oui
,..th sustained much water damage
The Masonic Hall stable and garage
in IN. rear of the Masonic Hall facing
on Front street, caught fire, as die
al.o the stable of DIR. X. Y. Watson
neither was damaged much. Slight
damage was sustained at the garage
of Dr. Paul Poetschre, on the oppo-
site side OF the river, a quarter OF a
mile from the original fire. and the
fencing in the coal yard of Charles
Narney.
In appreciation of the services Of
IN. visiting firemen, they We're served
with coffee and sandwiches, the
srmory being used for the purpose and
women OF the town providing The
treat.