Binghamton Again Has Disastrous Fire

Binghamton Again Has Disastrous Fire

GENERAL NEWS FEATURES

Binghamton, N. Y., which was heralded before the world a few months ago as the scene of a horrible holacust—nearly two score of human beings being burned to death in a clothing factory—had another disastrous blaze a few days ago when the Thompson Specialty Store was burned and several other buildings were seriously damaged. The total loss was estimated at $245,000. The fire started among some boxes and excelsior in the basement. It was discovered by smoke issuing from a speaking tube in the office on the floor above. The basement was filled with old boxes, rubbish and a lot of large boxes containing clothing and winter goods. When the basement door was opened a volume of smoke prevented anyone from entering, and when the fire department arrived the entire basement was in flames. Within five minutes the flames had spread throughout the building. The 50 women and six men employed in the building made their escape. The alarms was sent in at 1.15 p. m., followed by a general alarm which brought the entire department, in command of Chief Hogg. At 2.30 o’clock Chief C. F. Johnson, of Lestershire, arrived with an engine and hose company, which rendered valuable service. The fire was checked soon after the local department arrived, but the bursting of a length of hose at a critical point allowed the flames to get away and spread to the basement of an adjoining drug store. Several firemen were injured, but none seriously. At 6 o’clock on the following morning the fire again broke out, and the department was again called into service. The fire spread to buildings not destroyed by the hrst fire, and only by the hardest kind of work by the department was the fire prevented from becoming larger than the original one.