The Night Fire Nearly Took Browne's New Brick Block

A few minutes past nine o'clock Tuesday evening the startling and excitement-producing cry of "fire" rang out on the streets, and in response to the dread summons there arose the sound of hurrying feet toward the location of the threatened danger. The alarm was caused by the discovery of flames issuing from the floor of J. J. Browne's elegant new brick block at the corner of Post street and Riverside avenue.

A stranger passing the building at the time was the first to notice the presence of the fire, and, without leaving the spot, he lifted his lungs and let go a succession of yells that spread the information that trouble was brewing in that quarter. In a very few minutes a large crowd of men had collected and went to work with a will to save, if possible, the beautiful structure. The lower floor and basement was full of black, smothering smoke, and the vapor and the destroying element rolled out in volumes from doors, windows, and every crevice. The scene at this time beggars description. The red tongues of flame were shooting up from the flooring in both the west and east store rooms, fastening upon the woodwork like ravenous fiends, crackling in demoniac glee at the pleasure of feeding upon such precious viands, clothed in an mantle of thick, stifling, bilious smoke; men rushing backward and forward looking spectral through the vapor, and above all the cries, orders and din that naturally arises where order is unknown and all system utterly banished. As it looked at one time it seemed as though this beautiful monument to the progress of Spokane Falls was doomed, but there were ready and willing hands, and although some unnecessary confusion resulted from over-excited individuals, yet everyone present worked with the single aim of saving the building and that object was fortunately accomplished. Water was carried a long distance in buckets and by the timely application of this neutralizing element the fire was at last entirely extinguished. The entire damage can be covered by $200, and Mr. Browne can congratulate himself that it is no more.

The brick block is one of the finest of the many bricks that have been built this summer. It cost over $20,000, and is just receiving the finishing touches. Had it been destroyed the loss would have been felt and regretted by every resident of our city. The origin of the fire can be traced to the drying of the plaster work. A sheet iron stove had been set up in the west store room to aid in drying the plaster, in which a fire was left in the evening. By some means the fire ignited the flooring and burned a hole large enough to let the stove into the cellar. The flames followed underneath between two joined stone division walls and there spread to the east room. Had the discovery been ten minutes later the building would have been beyond saving.

And at this time we are again called upon to note the desperate condition of the city in case of fire. Week after week we have been called to attention to the latent danger that is forever threatening the Falls. It is a notorious subject we have never allowed rest, and yet there seems to be an apathy among the people, not willing to be cognizant of the peril that surrounds them. Spokane has not the shadow of protection against fire. No department, no organization, no water, not even a bucket. The buckets used Tuesday night were kindly furnished by the stores and public individuals. Since so many new and valuable bricks have been erected here the want of a fire apparatus is more keenly felt. Had the fire Tuesday evening reached the ceiling, or had it broken out in the second floor where it would not have been reached with buckets, the crowd would have been compelled to stand idle and see the structure collapse without a hope of saving it. This may be a time of warning. We hope it may so result. A fire that might be easily controlled with an engine would, in our present defenseless condition, create a loss of thousands of dollars. May the city escape any further visitations until some measures are taken to meet and do battle against the flames with some hope of success.