Block Burns at Marion, lnd.

Block Burns at Marion, lnd.

The destruction of the Marion Block at Marion, Ind., recently, involved a loss of nearly $100,000. The building, which was centrally located, was 66 x 130 feet in dimensions, was occupied by the First National Bank and Five and Ten-Cent Store, as well as by other tenants. It was four stories high and built of brick about 30 years ago. There were partition walls, but no fire protection on the property, nor any means of saving life in case of fire. It was 12:55 a. m., when a policeman discovered the flames in the basement, the cause of which has not been made known. An alarm was responded to by five hose wagons and one truck. The water system is direct pumping. There were 12 four-way, double hydrants in the vicinity, and with 6,000 feet of hose equipped with one-inch nozzles, eight streams were employed most of the time, and twelve streams at intervals. After a stubborn fight for twelve hours the fire was extinguished, it not having been allowed to get beyond an adjoining building. The property was valued at $200,000, upon which there was a loss of $50,000, and $25,000 loss on the contents. The above information was furnished by Chief William Crearar, who also had photographs taken for the accompanying illustrations.

The destruction of the Marion Block at Marion, Ind., recently, involved a loss of nearly $100,000. The building, which was centrally located, was 66 x 130 feet in dimensions, was occupied by the First National Bank and Five and Ten-Cent Store, as well as by other tenants. It was four stories high and built of brick about 30 years ago. There were partition walls, but no fire protection on the property, nor any means of saving life in case of fire. It was 12:55 a. m., when a policeman discovered the flames in the basement, the cause of which has not been made known. An alarm was responded to by five hose wagons and one truck. The water system is direct pumping. There were 12 four-way, double hydrants in the vicinity, and with 6,000 feet of hose equipped with one-inch nozzles, eight streams were employed most of the time, and twelve streams at intervals. After a stubborn fight for twelve hours the fire was extinguished, it not having been allowed to get beyond an adjoining building. The property was valued at $200,000, upon which there was a loss of $50,000, and $25,000 loss on the contents. The above information was furnished by Chief William Crearar, who also had photographs taken for the accompanying illustrations.