The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1929-08-28
Village Suffers Severe Fire Loss
Second Time in Less Than Year
Four Business Houses Are Totally Destroyed In
Friday Afternoon Blaze at Estimated
Loss of S5O,OOOOO
Morgan, Springfield and Redwood Falls Fire De-
partments Heed Call to Save Village
Business Section

The explosion of a gasoline pres
sure stove caused $4,000 fire in
the village of Clements last Friday,
in which four business houses in the
village were a total loss. The ex-
plosion of the stove, used in connec-
ton with cream testing, occurred at
approximately 400 o'clock in the af-
ternoon.
The business houses suffering loss
were L. H. Raddatz Store, Gus Beck
er General Store and Post Office,
Kagel Restaurant and Telephone Ex-
change and the Otto Gerstmann
Hardware store. With the exception
of the Gerstmann store, the balance
of the structures were frame build
ings, the Gerstmann building, two
story brick structure on the north
corner of the block.
The explosion occurred in the L. H.
Raddatz store, where Herbert Rad
datz, an employee, was testing
cream. Immediately following the ex-
plosion, fire broke out in the store.
Nothing was saved from the burning
building. The younger Raddtaz re-
ceived burns about the hands. Me-
dical aid was given.
Calls to three fire departments
were sent out by Clements residents,
with the Redwood Falls, Morgan and
Springfield departments responding
upon notice. Had it not been for the
work of the men of each fire company
it is doubtful if any of the build
iE.ys in the business section could
have been saved. 49,
Citizens working on all sides of
the Raddatz store removing stock
were driven out of range of the blaze
as it swept southwark onto the Kagel
Restaurant and Becker stores. The
frame buildings added more zest to
the blaze and were totally destroyed,
as were the warehouses in the rear
of each building. The Kagel build
ing housed the village telephone ex-
change with the Post Office in the
Becker Store. Records from both the
exchange and Post Office were saved.
Following the burning of the three
frame buildings, the Gerstman store,
situated on the north corner of the
block, caught fire around the window
castings and on the roof. With not a
sufficient water supply, it was inn
possible to save the building, al
though chemicals and what water
was at hand, were used. Some of the
hardware stock was removed before
the building became a part of the
disaster.
The rear part of the Kagel Res
taurant, as well as the upper story
of the Gerstmann store were used as
the residence for each. Nothing was
saved from either place, the fire TAX
ing all household goods and clothes.
All four buildings and merchandise
in each were protected by insurance,
although loss will be taken in each
instance.
1t is understood that all four stores
will be rebuilt, with some rebuilding
temporary quarters at once until
permanent structures can be obtain
ed. The Post Office is temporarily
located in the L. H. Clements garage
building.
The friday disaster marks the Sec
ond serious fire in Clements this year,
the j. F. Steffl two story brick build
ing being destroyed in February
Mr.. Steffl will also build on the
foundation of his former building.