Loss in Fire in Brenner-Penny Department Store Estimated at $250,000, Nov. 13, 1926

Fires Causes Much Damage to Stores in Hendersonville. . . Fire Which Started in a Store Basement Caused Loss Now Estimated at $250,000. . . Asheville Sent Eight Firemen. . . Fire Was Under Control at 3 O’clock but Broke Out Afresh Shortly After That Time

Hendersonville, N.C., Nov. 13 (AP)—Fire which started shortly after midnight in the basement of the Brenner-Penny department store on Main Street here was brought under control shortly after 7 o’clock this morning after the store’s stock was totally destroyed and the stocks of two adjoining stores badly damaged. The loss is estimated at $250,000.

Only the heroic work of the city’s firemen, augmented by Chief A. L. Duckett with eight men and pumper from Asheville, saved several other buildings nearby from the flames.

Lodgers in the apartments above the Hunter Drug Company were routed from their beds in time to escape, but two who were overcome by the smoke had to be carried out by firemen.

The fire is said to have started in the basement of the department store, a long two-story structure. It was burning briskly when the fire alarm was turned in.

Shortly before 3 o’clock, however, the flames were brought under control.

Hardly had the Asheville fire unit arrived when the blaze broke out afresh. It was in this second outbreak that the greater part of the damage was done.

The loss of the stock of the department store, owned by W. F. Penny and N. Brenner, was estimated today at $130,000.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Nov. 13, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1926-11-13/ed-1/seq-1/