Springfield Globe Republic

The Fire.

An alarm turned in from box 8, which is at the Central engine house, brought the fire department out about 8:30 last night. The fire was in the back part of an unoccupied house on South Market street, a few doors north of the engine house. It was easily extinguished, nothing but the chemical being called into use. The damage from fire and firemen will probably not exceed $25. The house belongs to Spangenberger and is insured in the Teutonia of Dayton. When first discovered the flames appeared very much like the work of an incendiary. A more careful examination after the fire was out, however, revealed the fact that the blaze started on the north wall at a point almost up to the roof. The most plausible theory is that the fire originated in a lot of old clothes hanging on the wall, and these, dropping to the floor, gave the appearance of incendiarism. These are only theories, however, and this being a free country, every man is at liberty to accept one of them or construct a new one as may best please him.

Many people who came to see the fun last night got no nearer the fire than the Lowry hydrant at the C., C., C. & I. track, but believed they were seeing it all. It seems that a gas main must be leaking at that point, for, when the hydrant man took off the cap and lowered his lantern into the hole a flame immediately sprang up and burned vigorously as long as the cap was off. Many persons, seeing this glow, believed it to be the cause of the alarm, and stood around with the complacent belief that they were gazing at the fire.