A BIG BLAZE - 1892

BURKE, OTT, HOLLE, WHALEN, MATESEN, RUNSLOW, OVINGTON, METCALF, HALINAN, ROWE, CARTER, REVARS, ESMAY, MCCUTCHEON, NICHOLS, THORNBURG, ROWE, WALSH, HANSEN

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 6/21/2017 at 21:21:39

The Clinton Daily Age, Clinton, Iowa, May 2, 1892

A BIG BLAZE

BARNS BURNED AND
DWELLINGS BADLY SCORCHED

The Burning of a Pile of Rubbish
Results in a Serious Loss-
Insurance-Etc.

Shortly after 3 o’clock yesterday the fire departments were called to the vicinity of Third Avenue and Fifth Street, where a fierce fire was raging among a number of barns and outbuildings in the alley between Second and Third Avenues, west of Fifth Street.

A strong breeze was blowing from the southwest at the time, and owing to the light and inflammable materials of which the blaze was composed, the fire spread rapidly from one building to another, and within a brief space of time every building on both sides of the alley for nearly half its length was a roaring mass of flames.

All the fire departments of the city were out in full force and owing to their prompt attention and good judgment of Chief Burke and placing the men where they could do the most good, the dwelling abutting the on the burned district were all saved, although several were badly scorched.

The origin of the fire was supposed to have been a pile of rubbish which a little boy thoughtlessly set fire to in the alley near a large barn belonging to Mr. Ott.

Patrick Rowe and Fred Nichols were at work in a barn adjoining Mr. Ott’s, but so suddenly and rapidly did the flames spread that several buildings were on fire before they were aware of the danger.

Nearly all the buildings burned were small, but a careful estimate of the aggregate loss will probably foot up to $2,500. This amount will include, aside from the buildings, the fences, walks, wood, hay, grain, vehicles, etc.

William Holle, who recently purchased Tom Carter’s residence, 505 Second Avenue, loses about $750 in furniture and household goods stored in the barn. No insurance.

Thomas Whalen, 509 Second Avenue, woodshed and contents burned. Loss $100; no insurance.

Mrs. Matesen, 511 Second Avenue, barn and woodshed. Loss $57, and no insurance.

J. Runslow, 507 Second Avenue. Loss on woodshed, about $50. Mr. Runslow, owner of the property, resides at Thomson, Ill., and nothing could be learned in regard to the insurance.

Chas. Ovington, 515 Second Avenue. Loss on woodshed, $50; no insurance. Jacob Metcalf, who occupies Mr. Ovington’s house, loses about $100 on buggy, harness, etc. stored in the shed.

Patrick Halinan, corner of Fifth Street and Second Avenue, Loss on barn and contents $200; partially insured with J. F. McGuire.

Heinrich Revars, 513 Second Avenue, loss on barn $50, no insurance.

B. L. Esmay, 514 Third Avenue. Loss on barn and contents $75, no insurance.

William McCutcheon, 512 Third Avenue, Loss on barn and contents $100; no insurance. Damage to residence about $50, insured with Walsh & Walsh.

Charles Ott, 510 Third Avenue, loss on barn and contents and damage to residence $600; partially insured with Frank Thornburg. The kitchen of Mr. Ott’s house was quite badly burned, and the furniture was nearly all removed from the building, was badly damaged by careless handling.

Patrick Rowe, 508 Third avenue, loss on barn and contents $200; no insurance. Damage to residence $150; insured

Hans Hansen, 506 Third Avenue, loss on barn and woodshed $150; no insurance. Damage to residence $50 insured.

The firemen had the blaze well under control within half an hour after their arrival, and thus averted what might have proved a serious conflagration as this part of the city is thickly inhabited and the buildings are close together.

Although the building burned were mostly small and cheap structures, the loss falls quite severely on some of those who carried no insurance.