The Wrangell sentinel., 1953-09-18
Fire Cuts Drug Store
 Den

Fire believed ta have been caused l by the explosion of he furnace l resulted in damage estimated near l 10 $l10.000 at the Wrangeu DmE and Den O.Sweets. owned by Nr. and Mrs. James Nolan last night.
 The entire place was gutted and Iau the large stock and equipment Was believed a total loss. The walls were left standing and four apart ments upstairs were water-soaked and smoke damaged.
 Senator Nolan estimated the damage al close to S100.000 on ba- sis of replacement value. IL was a. bout half covered by insurance.
 Will Rebuild
 We will start rebuilding and getting back into business fmmed- lately. or as soon as insurance ad- Jastment is made. Nolan said Our plan is to get the drug store side operating as soon as We poss- ibly can"
 Wrangan Drug is the only drug store in town.
 l he lire broke out about O. clock, flames first showing in the front windows by the candy depart ment and 1t is believed che furnace l toward the back of Che bufIdfnr l had exploded throwing the blaze to the front across the ice cream parlor. Bremen were on fhe job in record time and confined the fire after bitter two-hour light on the Nolan property. DwelIers in adfac- ] ent buildings began moving at the l height of the eouflagration but i were able to return to their homes later in the evening.
 First to spot the fire and turn in the alarm were Hubert Wellons and Roland Curtis who happened To drive up and noted what appeared to be smoke in the building. Hardly had they sounded the alarm when flames broke out
 Two Apartments Occupied Two of the Nolan apartments were occupied at the time one hv Mrs. Vera Adams. the public health nurse who is presently in Seattle. and another by Gordon Buness. The ether apartments were under reno Tation. Mrs. Adams offects were ra- moved to the hospital and Buness moved to the home of his brother. Maurice Buness.
 While Fire Chief W. D. Grant and his men had lines out and the initial fire dampened in short time, the fire was so deep in the building that it was necessary 10 break entrance at the rear and on the sides to get at the seat of the Elaze in the smoke-filIed building. It was two hours alter the first a- larm was sounded before Chief Grant announced the situation un- der control Long afterwards fire men stayed on the job and Chief Grant put on a special all night crew to guard against any smould- ering outbreaks and as a protection to adjoining areas.
 City officials were warm in their praise oE the work of the firemen and the efficient way in which they controlled the fire from spreading.
 "Once again they have brought under control a fire which could have ended in a major disaster if not properly handled said the Mayor, expressing in general terms the sentiment of. the entire Coun- cil.
 ''It was a close one for the town as a whole" said Councilman Len nie Engstrom. 'The firnmen are to be commended for dciug great job" Other Councilmen voiced sim liar sentiments.
 L. T. Campbell 1ooaI insurance man, said an adiu3tcr was on the way here and should arrive in a day or two. There was approximate 1y $50 GOO in insurance on the property.
 Nolan said he hoped that he could be partially back in business in a week or such a matter.