By the Associated Press
Charlotte, Dec. 17—Investigation by men from the State Insurance Commissioner’s office at Raleigh of the fire which last nigh caused nearly $1,000,000 damages in the East Trade Street mercantile district here, was started today. Three deputies had been ordered here by the State Insurance Commissioner Wade to investigate the fire, and offer whatever aid the Department could give.
Commissioner Wade last night ordered Fire Marshal Sherwood Brockwell of Raleigh, and Deputies W.A. Scott of Greensboro and F.M. Jordan of Asheville to Charlotte.
The cause of the fire had not be ascertained today, firemen and owners of the destroyed buildings all declaring they could give nothing as to the origin. It was discovered shortly before 8 p.m. in the rear of the wholesale department of Smith-Wadsworth Company, a retail and wholesale hardware firm, and 20 minutes later had spread until both the retail department facing east Trade street and the wholesale department on North College street were a mass of flames.
Ten firms suffered loss from flames, while smoke and water damaged the stocks of others. The Smith-Wadsworth Co. was the heaviest loser, its stock, valued at $250,000, apparently being a complete loss.
Belk Brothers, who operate one of the largest department stores in the city, sustained a loss of more than $200,000. It was said today this loss might be increased when an inventory of the damaged stock has been completed.
H.C. Long and La Mode sustained a loss of (line obscured) the Gatlin Dry Goods Co., the Newman Tire Co., and other firms sustained smaller losses.
From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Monday, December 17, 1923
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