The Philipsburg Mail

GRANITE CORNER.

A DISASTROUS FIRE.
The Residence of Chas. Harris, of Granite, a Total Loss.

On the morning of the 18th inst. the people of Granite were aroused from their slumbers by an alarm of fire. A few minutes later the city hose was laid to the residence of Charles Harris, on lower Main, where a three-story frame was enveloped in flames. Later the Granite Mountain hose arrived on the scene and the two forcible streams drowned the raging fire, but not until the house and contents were rendered valueless. The firemen had great difficulty in opening the fire plugs on the hydrant owing to the frost and ice which had accumulated around it. Good muscle and cool heads, however, got the water in its proper channel. The firemen labored unflinchingly and, seeing that the Harris house was gone, succeeded in saving the adjoining buildings, and by so doing saved the business part of the town. The fire is supposed to have originated from a burning lamp on the first floor, upset by the three dogs that had access to the apartment; at least, this is the only feasible cause advanced, if not incendiary.

The fire was discovered by Fred Lauer, one of the expressmen, while bound for Philipsburg with passengers to meet the 4 a. m. train. Mr. Lauer hastened to warn the occupants to escape for their lives. In their fright and amid the dense smoke the parents made a desperate effort to find an exit and then secure their children on the third floor. Mrs. Harris bade them hasten down, but as they were not easily awakened she made an unsuccessful attempt to ascend the staircase. The youths were finally aroused, and conscious of their danger, made a furious rush through the fast thickening smoke and landed unhurt on terra firma. Meanwhile the head of the house, crazed by fright and appealing for help, rushed barefooted up Main street and rang the fire bell. Then he rushed to his home, hoping to carry out some household goods, but without avail. The fumes of the smoke were too strong and he fell out of the door backwards. Mr. Harris had exhausted his strength. His feet were frozen and his lungs were sore from the smoke. He was conveyed to a neighboring lodging and up to this writing has been under a physician's care. Mrs. Harris' hair was burned considerably, but otherwise she was not injured as badly as her husband.

The home was insured.