FIRE WRECKS 4-STORY WALNUT ST. BUILDING.
$30,000 Damage Is Done to Old Morledge Place; Water Pressure Weak.
A spectacular fire in the four-story building at 808 Walnut street attracted 10,000 spectators at midnight. The streets for blocks were black with people, who cheered the firemen and freely offered advice.
The building was occupied by Schooler & Cleveland with a fish and oyster market and restaurant. It was for year previously occupied by Morledge's restaurant. To the south of the building is the bunting-Stone hardware Company's building and to the north is a three-story brick structure, the first floor of which is given over to a furniture auction house, the upper stories being vacant.
A private watchman, who discovered the blaze, said it originated on the third floor, above the fish and oyster restaurant. Fire companies responded promptly, but for nearly half an hour it seemed impossible to obtain strong water pressure. the streams thrown from the nozzles fell short of the fourth floor and in the meantime the flames mounted rapidly.
The entire top floor was soon roaring, waves of flame mounting high in the air and great showers of sparks falling like spray. A water tower was put in position, but the pressure still remained so weak that it was useless.
Damage to the building, estimated at $30,000, was done by the fire before it was put under control. The floors on which it raged were occupied as store rooms and much of the space was empty.
