Fire originating in an old barn on Walnut street, between Third and Fourth, this morning about 4:30 completely destroyed the barn and contents, practically destroyed a dwelling house on the corner of Fourth and Walnut and did several hundred dollars damage to the home of Mr. D.D. French on Walnut street.
Night Policeman J. Paul Lewis and J.B. Boyle were in the vicinity of the tobacco warehouses and discovered the flames about the same time. Pistols were fired and Officer Lewis was on the run to the fire department when the fire truck left, the alarm being turned in after the truck had started out. At the time the flames were discovered there was no chance of saving the burning building, which had only been used for storage of counters and other fixtures used by Mr. Joe Prevatte when he was in the mercantile business here years ago. A Ford automobile belonging to the Williams Pressing Club, which was stored in the barn, was also a total loss.
The barn and dwelling belonged to Mr. Prevatte, who stated this morning that his loss was partially covered by insurance. The dwelling was occupied by Mr. C.B. Pate and family, and Mr. Pate’s loss of several hundred dollars is total, no insurance being carried. Most of his damage was due to water and breakage. The barn was a roaring mass of flames when he and his family were aroused. Another small building used for a chicken house at the rear of the barn was destroyed, a large number of chickens perishing I the flames.
The northern side of Mr. French’s home was badly damaged, and excellent work by the fighters kept the large building from going up in flames. The dry, shingle roof was at one time almost covered in flames, which seemed to shoot from the burning barn to the top of the house and pick off shingles. During the time when it looked impossible to save his house, the work of carrying out household effects was done by people who had gathered. Another crew was at work carrying out the furniture and clothing from the Pate home. It was remarkable that not a piece of cut glass or china which crowded the walls of the large glass china cabinet was broken when three men carried it from the French home to safety. A heavy piano was also carried out without material damage. Mr. French’s loss, which will amount to nearly $2,000, is partially covered by insurance.
Those who discovered the fire say that it started in the rear of the barn and not where the automobile was located. No cause for the fire can be found. The barn was about 40 feet wide and 60 feet long, and fell easily prey to the fire on account of its very inflammable condition. It burned like an oil well, seeming to relish and feed on the large streams of water as they fell into the furnace.
From the front page of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Monday, Aug. 31, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026483/1925-08-31/ed-1/seq-1/
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