Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1892 — HALF A MILLION IN ASHES. [ARTICLE]

HALF A MILLION IN ASHES.

Bl{ Wholesale Boose in Brooklyn Totally Destroyed by Fire. The five-etory brick building at the corner of Flushing avenue and Ryerson street, Brooklyn, owned and occupied by Wm. C. A. Jurgens, wholesale grocer, was destroyed by Are,with several of the adjoining buildings on either side. The loss will probably foot up to nearly $500,090. The ,yargens building was heavily stocked with flour and holiday goods. The Are spread to the buildings on either side of the big store, end a special alarm brought more engines. It was feared that the entire block would go, as the high wind was carrying large brands for half a block. The threestory building at 244 Flushing avenue, owned and occupied as a saloon and dwelling by Henry Beemier, and the building next to it, owned and occupied Ly George Tietjen, also a liquor dealer, wore both almost totally destroyed. The firemen worked hard, but against great odds, owing to the high wind and intense heat. There are a number of tenement houses on the Hall street side of the block, and three of these caught fire. All of the families wore removed to places of safety, some of them being sheltered at the Flushing avenue station. The buildings burned until daylight, when there was nothing left but the smoldering ruins. Mr. Jurgens says the loss will be about $150,000 on the buildings and $250,000 on the stock, fully covered by insurance. It is believed by the police that the fire was incendiary, and Thomas McCann, who was found in the building shortly after the fire started, has been arrested on suspicion.