Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1898 — FLAMES WERE FATAL [ARTICLE]

FLAMES WERE FATAL

Distressing Result of Explosion of Fireworks in Philadelphia. : SIX STORY BUILDING IS BURIED. Two Men and a Woman Lose Their Liven—A Number of Firms Suffer, the Total Loss Being About *235,000. x ■ Philadelphia, May 12. —Three persons were burned to death and property ; amounting to $255,000 destroyed by Are which originated Wednesday in the big i six-story building occupied by McCadi den Bros., wholesale dealers in toys i and fireworks, 619 Market street. The dead are: £.William McCadden, a member of the firm; Charles Richardson, a packer, and Miss Evelyn G. Caldwell, stenographer and typewriter. Their bodies were found on the second floor in the rear of the building and were so charred that it was impossible to recognize them, but as all employes, with the exception of those named, have been accounted for, there can be no doubt as to their identity. Caused by Explodin* Fireworks. The fire originated in thebesement of the building and was caused by the explosion of fireworks, which had recently been brought into the store and were being unpacked at the time the explosion occurred. At the time of the explosion there were 25 persons in the building. It is not known positively, butitis supposed, that the three persons who perished were on the upper floor and after making their way to the second floor were caught by the flames. Less than half an hour after the explosion the McCadden establishment was a mass of flames. The fire quickly communicated to 617 and 621 Market street, occupied respectively by the Reading Hardware company and Brainerd, Armstrong & Co., spool silk manufacturers, and Janerway & Co., agents for the National Wallpaper com-

pany. The building occupied by McCadden Bros, was completely gutted, but the adjoining property was saved by the good work of the firemen. • The Losses. The individual losses are as follows: McCadden Bros., on building and stock, $65,000; insurance, $50,000; Reading Hardware company, $20,000; Brainerd, Armstrong & Co., $65,000; National’ Wallpaper company, $25,000; Beringer, Shumway & Co., wholesale shoe dealers. 623 Market street, loss by water and smoke, $20,000; Tracy, Norris & Cowholesale clothing manufacturers, $25,000, by water and smoke; all fully insured.