The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1926-11-18
LONG PRAIRIE LOSES
FINE BUSINESS BLOCK
SEVERAL BUSINESS AND PRO-
FESSIONAL MEN ARE PUT
OUT OF BUSINESS
BLAZE ORIGIN UNKNOWN
SAUK CENTRE FIREMEN RE-
SPOND QUICKLY AND FURN-
ISH ASSISTANCE

The destruction of the Arcade
block at Long Prairie Thursday
morning of last week, brief mention
of which was made in the previous
issue of the Herald, was the most de-
structive blaze suffered by that vii
lage in many years. The following
story of the blaze which is appearing
in this weeks issue of the Long Pra-
irie Leader, was kindly furnished the
Herald by Editor Rudolph Lee:
'The Arcade Block, owned by the
Hart Printing company, was COM
pletely destroyed by a fire which
broke out Thursday morning shortly
before seven o'clock. Only the walls
are left standing and it is thought
that at least the south wall VII ave
to be taken down.
''The fire started in the basement
Just how the fire started is not known.
On the first floor was locaeei the
Siegert restaurant. This Is practical
ly an aH-nig'ht restaurant. Mr.. Sic
gert locked up ait four o'clock that
morning and at five o'clock the res-
taurant was opened again by Miss
Ryle Hansmann, waitress, and there
was no sign or indication Of fire.
''The cook noticed a wish of smoke
coming up the basement stairs. She
Immediately called Clifford nenney,
who was also employed at the res
taurant, and the two of them threw
some water on the blaze, which seem
ed to be just starting in the neignhor.
hood of the stairway in the basement.
He quickly realized, however, that
the fire was serious one and the
alarm was sent in. This was at 6:15.
"The fire department rallied
promptly, but the fire made consid-
erably Roadway. Near the basement
stairs was a large coal bin con-
tanning thirty-fve or, forty tons of
soft coal. The fire had got into that
and the dense black smoke, together.
with the gas, made it impossible to
fight the fire from the alley at the
rear of the building.
"The blaze seemed to shoulder
awhile and with several streams OF
water playing into the basement II
looked as if the fire was under con.
troll, when suddenly about eight
o'clock it broke out and ragged with
great fury until everything from
basement to roof was destroyed.
Shortly after eight o'clock word
was sent to Browerville and Sank
Centre that the fire was dangerous
and the fire departments of the two
cities responded promptly. At the
time. the wind was carrying flames
and eanbers across the street and
threatened the Williams building oc-
cupied by the Dodds confectionery.
The Sank Centre department made
great run here. Chief Fish, with a
number of firemen in Lynn Whit
sons car, making the run in twenty
five minutes. Harold Bishop in his
fast car brought up a thousand feet
of hose and some fremen, making the
run in equally fast time. In all, Sank
Centre sent twenty men here and
they were of great assistance in help
ing the local fire department. The
Browerville fire department, under
leadership of Carroll Haynes and Ed
Woell, also were here quickly. There
were eighteen men from the Brewer
vile department. They assisted Chief
Sutton and the Long Prairie depart
ment in very efficient way and
greatly relieved local men. It was a
fine thing for the two departments
to respond as quickly and efficiently
as they did and Long Prairie much
appreciates the service.
"The blaze continued to smoke and
steam until after dark that night, al
though the walls and roof had fallen
before noon. Streams of water were
played into the basement the greater
part of the night, as the burning coal
was considered menace.
"Neighboring buildings had narrow
escapes, but there was little, if any,
loss, as the fire was confined conn
pletely to the Arcade Block.
"The Arcade Block was one of the
handsome blocks in the village and
was an ornament to main street. 1t
was built twenty-two years ago.
'eThe first floor was occupied by the
Siegert restaurant and the business
office and store of the Minnesota
Power & Light company. The
Knights of Columbus society had
quarters in the big hall on the second
floor, while the front offices on the
second floor were occupied by DR..
B. F. and DIR. Frederick Van Val
kenburg, physicians and DIR. l.. K.
Van Valkenburg, dentist. The Sic
CERT restaurant was unusually we'll
equipped and sustains a loss of be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000 with insur-
ance of $4,000. The Power company
carried considerable stock of cleo
trio fixtures and supplies, together
with lot of equipment used in con-
nection with the power system. It's
loss will be well over $4,000 and is
covered by insurance.
.'The Knights of Columbus had the
finest lodge quarters in the village.
They had but recently been fitted up
with much expensive furniture and
other equipment. Their loss is be-