The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-03-30

Smuck Rug and Carpet Com
pany, 1928 South Meridia1S
street, was damaged $4,000 by
smoke. There was a slight
damage to stock in the Ilibben
Hollweg Company, 14l South
Meridian street, by smoke and
water. Z
They were saved from heavy lossl
by three-foot brick fire wall. Lin
ems on shelves in the basement wera
moved by employees to prevent dam
age.
Albert Schad, 1923 McPherso
avenue, a nightWatchman at tlA
-Hollweg Company, discov-
cred the fire. The theory that the
fire started from an explosion was
strengthen by Schad Il heard a
crash of glass like two automobiles
colliding. I ran out and saw smoke
coming from the front of the Cenf
trail Wall Paper Company. I pulled
the alarm box"
Four Alarms Sounded
Flames were shooting more than
half way across Meridian street
when Battalion Chief John w.
Blackwell arrived less than two
minutes after the alarm was sound
ed. He Immediately sounded a sec
ond alarm. Assistant Chief Fred
C.. Kennedy in about two minutes
sounded a third and fourth alarm.
This brought all except eight COM
panies in the city to the fire. Water
was directed from all sides of the
burning buildings.
The glass in the front windows on
the paint company was broken by
the initial explosion, and a second
series Of explosions and intense heat
made fire fighting hazardous.
A number of large cans in the
window display we're blown out in
the street.
The fire is thought to have orig
mated in the center of the basement
where the paint was stored, accord
ing to Lieutenant John Doyle of
fire station, No. 13, one of the first
to arrive.
Stock Fully Insured
The stock of the paper and paint
company is fully insured for t.
$4,000 loss, said E. l.. Osbors
president There will be little sa
wage. He agreed with another theo
that the fire started from defecti
wiring. He pointed out that it WI
eight years and two months sin
another fire caused a similar loS
The buildings occupied by "a
paint company, the Horuff Shd
corporation, and Smuck's Rug Con
pany are owned by L. M. WAR
wright, 40l4 Washington boulevard
He is out of the city. Guy Vain
wright, his son, estimated loss orr
the buildings at 100000. 1t is cov..'
cred by insurance. The paint COM
pany building is practically de-
Stroyed. The stock of the company
was rated as one of the best in
the middle-west.
officials hoped the records of the
company we're protected by fireproof
cabinets and safes. The upper
floors caved in on the records, and
it viii be impossible to reach them
until the debris cools.
Gives Firemen Boots
The Horuf Shoe Corporation car
ried a 100000 stock and rs per
cent of it was damaged, according
to Frank J. Horuff, president. "We
had our spring shipments in, and
our leather goods were in the store
rooms and warehouses on the south
side Of the building next to the
paint company building" he said.
The fire broke through in three
places and started the automatic
sprinkler system. We are covered
by insurance"
Most CT the f1remen came to the
Gene SO quickly they left rubber
boots behind. Horud seeing their
plight, went to the second floor of
his building, broke open box after
box Of new rubber boots and passed
them out.
w. G. Smuck, president OF th&
rug company, said damage to stool
on the three floors of his compa
was caused chiefly by smoke.
entirely covered by Insurance.
basement o. the building VI
with stock of the Gems
Paper and Paint Compal