The Coconino sun., 1924-11-14
$35,OOO DAMAGE DONE
SEVEN BUSINESS HOUSES
Continued from Page One)

Dick Richardson's rug and curio
store. Loss somewhere near covered
by insurance, which was $500.
c. G.. Schwarz, tailor; loss probably
covered by insurance, $500.
The building was one story, brick
and stone, occupying two full lots 142
feet long.
The firemen were driven out of the
basement, where the fire originated,
again and again by the dense smoke.
They were unable to check the flames
at their source, and they gradually
ate their way into the main floor and
then to the space between ceiling and
metal roof.
Finally dynamite was used to tear
down the roof and keep the fire from
spreading to adjoining buildings. 1t
was not until four o'clock next morn
ling that the blaze was entirely under
control.
Fortunately there was hardly any
wind. What there was came from the
west. 1t was cloudy, the air heavy
with storm, and the smoke stayed
down, soon finding its way into all the
other buildings in the block fronting
Railroad avenue.
The dense smoke, making it almost
impossible to breathe, soon brought
| all the guests out of the Commercial
| hotel. They were refunded their
| lodging for the night and scattered to
other hotels or left in cars for other
| towns.
| The fire was discovered by James
| Mahoney, proprietor of the Turquoise
Tea Room, which was the only busi-
ness place in the building open. He
ran to the fire engine house near by
and gave the alarm. Louis Kelly,
driver of the fire truck, was on the
| job in minute and tried to get at
the fire with chemical extinguisher,
| but because Of the dense smoke was
unable to get near enough. In a few
moments the rest of the fire depart
ment men, were there and the long
| fight began.
The large city water main runs near
that corner and there was plenty of
water and pressure.
1t was fortunate indeed that there
was no wind; otherwise many more
buildings might have gone. Owners
of other nearby buildings were soon
at the scene and books and valuable
papers were removed to places to
safety.
Mr. Richardson's stock was removed
| from the main floor but lot of stock
and three dogs in the basement were
burned. Mrs. Longfellow's stock was
saved and she is already reestablished
across Leroux street in the room for
merly occupied by John Lukus.
Mrs. Mahoney was completing ar
Irangements for the sale of her Beauty
Parlor to Mrs. George Cameron and
| the transfer was to have been made
1.-THE following day.
This is the second fire within
Eyear for Mr.. Schwarz. He suffered
considerable loss when he burned out
across the street in the Bank hotel
building. He got out the clothing in
the place Sunday night otherwise his
present loss would have been much
greater.
Mr.. Mahoney salvaged a phono-
graph and his books, all of his con-
| Efectionery stock and fountain equip
Iment remaining for the flames; how
ever the fountain, while damaged
probably can be repaired. The fire
was checked in that, the north end Of
the building, the interior there being
less damaged.
Mrs. Longfellow is the only one
who so far has been able to find a
new location 1t is likely some of the
others may, though it is very i'm
probable that many of them will be-
fore spring, and then only in case the
burned building is rebuilt or some
other is built.
Mrs. Hensing has not made any
definite plans about rebuilding, and
will not be able to until after the in
surance adjusters are through their
work. One of her sons, Castor
Aubineau Of Phoenix, will be here the
last of this week and Mrs. Hensing
will rely a great deal on his advice
in making her plans.
Contractor Peter Solberg pronoun-
ced the west wall, which is standing
intact, unsafe in case of high wind.
City Marshal Justin r. Cooper block
ed off the sides of both streets near
est the walls to keep people away
from them. The walls, it may be
found, are in sufficiently good condi-
tion to permit their use in rebuilding.
i The Akers grocery and meat mar
ket was in charge of Fritz Schuerman,
Mr. Akers having left few weeks
ago for Phoenix to work for his broth |
er on the Gazette. He came up the |
first of the week and his former part |
ner, Lloyd Jones, came from the coast. |
Mr.. Akers went back to Phoenix the |
first of the week, Mr.. Jones remain
ing here to look after the Insurance