The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-12-22
FIRE DESTROYS ITW 0 BUILDINGS,
 CUTS TWO MORE
Tideflats Residential Sec ton Menaced by Flames
 Loss Is Heavy

Fire today menaced large sec ton of the tide flats section III the vicinity of Ninth and Tenth Streets. destroyed two small houses and virtually gutted two others. Other nearby houses were saved oy the most strenuous efforts of the Fire Department and volunteer aids who organized a bucket brlgaoe that for two hours helped the Bremen keep the flames rom spreading.
 The two houses destroyed and the other two seriously damaged wera owned by Amos Benson. The personal property in all except one, occupied by MT. Benson and w. n. Marrett. was practically all saved
 Loss Is Unestimated
 No official estimate on the H. nancial loss was available early this afternoon. but it is believed to have been in excess of SloOoo. If is believed that none of the buildings or their contents were insured.
 The fire broke out in Marretts cabin about 11:30 a. m. It spread rapidly to the other places whlcn we~a just north and west and only few feet distant The flames were apparently under control at 1 2 n m. Other houses east and south. within ten feet of the seat of the fire. were scorched, but not damaged to any appreciable extent. Cause of Fire
 A defective and broken stove caused the fire. MT. Marrstt, Who was in the cabin at the time sald that flame burst through a wide crack in the bottom of his stove 1 ipnited some fine kindling back of 1 it. and caught the papers on the wall. In an instant the whole ln- terior was a mass of flame.
 Half clad, he stumbled toWarc the front door and called loudly for help. Lee Rox, one of hf next-door neighbors heard ni' cries. looking from his own kit chen window saw the fire. He ran around to the front door ol Merrett's cabin which he had tf hreak open. He found Marret 1 standing in the front rom.
 When he tried to take him, Mar rett made an effort to break away and get back into his own guar ters asserting he had to get some ] clothing. his watch and money Rox then picked him up and car ried him to Ed Jewell's residence inst across an allsyway.
 Spreads Rapidly
 Famed by a light wind iron fife east, the flames spread rapidly engulfing another small house west and north, occupied by H. W Magorty. and from there to thu large Benson residence, occupies bv MT Benson's daughters, and tf nlace occupied by Barbara John son It destroyed the Magortl residence and gutted the larges penson house and that of Mrs Iohnson The Rox residence wa in flames several times but sui fered no material damage. Othel residences in the vicinity were en' dangered but escaped without in jury. <,
 Water pressure was low, due t' extreme cold prevailing for severa days, when the first truck reached inc scene. The second truck wa immediately ordered out and tn pumps on both were started wofK ing. Due, however to lack o pressure. only two lines of hos' could be laid.
 Bucket Brigade Helps
 A volunteer bucket brigade pack cd water for more than two hour' from the Ed Jewell home and kep the flames from spreading in oth' CT directions. It rendered timel! and valuable assistance.
 Both companies and trucks wert still on the ground at midafter' noon. but it was then believed tha' all danger of further loss was a an end.