| NEWSPAPER
ARTICLE FROM SONORA NEWSPAPER IN 1918
One House Destroyed and Another Damaged
At
the hour of 11:30 Wednesday morning inhabitants of the southern
section of the city were aroused by the blowing of the whistle
at the Standard factory and ringing of the bells. The sounds
heralded that a fire was in that neighborhood. And there
was no mistake. A dense column of smoke ascending into
the atmosphere and leaping flames gave evidence that the
home of W.H. Larson was going to waste in ashes.
The blaze originated between the ceiling of the attic rooms
and roof. There had been no fire in the house since the
morning meal. As the stove pipe was enclosed in terra cotta,
it is a mere speculation as to what was the origin. First
evidence of the danger was conveyed to Mrs. Larson by a
smell of smoke. Going up the inside stairs and opening
the door, she was almost suffocated by the blast of smoke
striking her face. Rushing outside she beheld the entire
roof in flames. Realizing the destruction going on, she
at once made frantic efforts to rescue household goods.
The organ and a few small articles were saved.
Within range of the fire on the north was the large residence
recently purchased from Mrs. Ella Kleineke by Eric J. Segerstrom.
Before the fire apparatus had reached the zone of destruction
the home of Mr. Larson was a furnace of fire and flames
and consuming the Segerstrom home. One end was almost consumed,
portion of a side and the fire had penetrated beneath the
roof. While hope of saving it was expiring in the minds
of onlookers, the fire ladies appeared and the streams from
the high pressure hydrant began the battle. It was an even
chance for victory for either for several minutes, then
the water began its dominance and the flames began to yield.
However damages will easily reach $1000. Every piece of
furniture and equipment had been moved from the building.
The
entire force of some 250 men at the Standard factory were
sent to the scene and in an incredibly short time they had
every piece of furniture out of the Segerstrom home. Mr.
Segerstrom had $2000 insurance on this house and $1000 on
the furniture. |