Alpena Weekly Argus

Another Destructive Fire.

On Sunday, July 13, Grand Rapids was visited by a destructive conflagration which consumed over one hundred buildings, and made many people homeless. The following is from the Grand Rapids Democrat of Sunday evening:

To-day, about 4 o'clock p. m., C. H. Keyes, hostler at the Bridge Street House barn, discovered straw, between the hotel and barn on fire, and immediately gave the alarm. Despite the efforts of those first on the spot, the flames communicated with the barn building, and before the fire engine could reach the spot, the barn was swept in a fiery sheet. The long dry, hot weather had rendered the buildings in this locality dry as a tinder-box, and before the department could get fairly to work the flames had jumped Kent street, and were rapidly spreading in a northeasterly direction aided by a brisk southwest wind. Fifteen minutes after the alarm sounded, about 50 buildings were on fire, and the flames were taking large and rapid leaps up Kent and Ottawa streets on the north and Hastings street on the east. Telegrams were sent by the Mayor to Charlotte, Kalamazoo, Grand Haven, Muskegon, and Ionia. The lines being burned on the Detroit & Milwaukee line, no answer could be received. Grand Haven and Muskegon responded with engines, and Kalamazoo having no engines, offered to send all the hose that would be required; Charlotte did not respond, probably owing to not getting the telegram.

At 5 o'clock it seemed as if that portion of the city from Bridge street on the south to the northern limits was doomed. The wind still held in the southwest, and was gaining in force. The fire was so hot that it could not be approached from the north near enough for water to do much good. The flames had reached Ionia street on the east: that part of the city lying on the brow of the hills was in danger. The fire struck in just north of Henry Breemer's house on Ionia street, and burned everything clean to Trowbridge street. The Hook and Ladder Company having succeeded in getting to the northward of the fire, commenced to do work that told. Buildings were torn down; ladders were placed so as to afford means for reaching roofs to place wet blankets or to wet down with buckets of water. Christ's brewery and malt house were now in flames, and it was an impossibility to reach them, as they were surrounded by burning buildings. The streets were clogged with household goods, burning fences and flaming wrecks of buildings. Meanwhile the hydraulic works from Comstock's kept drenched with water the lumber yards and buildings north of Trowbridge street. Pails were furnished to all from Comstock's pail works, and impromptu fire brigades organized. All worked desperately, and, under the leadership of a few cool heads, order was introduced into a portion of the excited throng, and good results were accomplished. At 7 o'clock the flames were got under control.

The Mayor on Sunday evening issued the following proclamation:

To the Citizens of Grand Rapids.

The fire fiend has again visited us with a terrible destruction, and his devastations have laid in ashes a large and important and thriving portion of our city. Important in that the numerous tenements of our mechanics and laboring men have been suddenly swept away, and many are houseless, while their household goods have been devoured almost in an instant. In view of this unexpected calamity, which was attended with loss of life as well as property, and to the end that such assistance may be rendered as may be deemed proper, I do call a meeting of the good people of the city, to be held at the Council room, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, in order to take such measures for the relief of the destitute as may be deemed advisable.

P. R. L. PIERCE, Mayor.