Daily Alta California, Volume 32, Number 10922, 10 March 1880 — THE OAKLAND FIRE. [ARTICLE]

THE OAKLAND FIRE.

Destruction of the Grand Central Hotel and the Webster House— The Fire Department Prevent a Conflagration, Though Obstructed by a Terrific Gale —A Fireman Shot at, and Another Blinded

The fire bell on the City Hall in Oakland sounded an alarm for the Grand Central Hotel at 2:15 yesterday morning. The Fire Department responded promptly, but the fire, nursed by an extraordinarily high wind, had already gained fearful headway. The fire is supposed to have started in the rear of

the billiard-parlor, and at the time the alarm was given it had already crept along to the elevator. The draft through the elevator caused tho flames to leap from floor to floor, until the mansard roof was reached. The flames spread to the right and left, and by the time the firemen could cut holes through the walls,

THE ENTIRE INTERIOR WAS ON FIRE.

The Hook and Ladder Company ran their long ladder up in front of tbe building, and a line of hose was carried up, but the heat was so intense that the hosemen were compelled to abandon their position. Chief Hill gave orders to vacate the hotel, and the inmates succeedod in moving their wearing apparel und most of their other effects to places of safety. Tbe destruction of the hotel being inevitable, a number of gentlemen called on the Chief to blow tbe building up, whioh he peremptorily refused to do, as its effect would have been to spread the fire. The high wind would have carried burning pieces of timber for blocks around, and every building within a range of half a mile would undoubtedly have been swept away. The streams of the four engines were

BROUGHT TO BEAR ON OTHER BUILDINGS ,

Particularly the Deitz Opera House, the Dexter Stables, the residence of Dr. Cushing and the Webster House. In one moment the flames would shoot north and east, and set fire to Deitz Opera House and the Dexter Stables. In another moment they would shoot south and west, and lash everything in their path. About an hour and a half after the first alarm had been sounded, the flames had gained headway and set fire to the Webster House. Chief Hill then ordered that the building be cut down for the purpose of

PREVENTING A FURTHER SPREAD.

Soon after, the residence of Dr Cushing caught fire, and in a few moments it was reduced to ashes. Along Webster, Eleventh and Harrison streets, all the houses caught fire, and for awhile it seemed impossible to prevent a disastrous spread. The wind, however, took a sudden change and veered along Twelfth street, and through this change the flames were brought to a standstill. During the progress of the Grand Central fire, two houses on Seventh street, between Alice and Harrison, caught fire and were burned to the ground, but not without an exertion on the part of the already tired out firemen.

INCIDENTS.

Chief Hill telegraphed to Chief Scannell in San Francisco for assistance. The latter sent Engine No. 2 over, under Assistant Chief Brady.

Nearly every residence within an area of half-a-mile south, was relieved of all furniture, and yesterday morning the streets had an appearance of a junk shop.

Burning cinders were floating about Alameda during the fire, and for awhile the residents along the water-front thought that their property was to be swept away.

While proceeding to the fire, some unknown person fired at Engineer Nyles, of Felton Company. The ball struck tbe smoke stack directly in front of him.

The driver of No. 2 Hose Carriage, was struok blind by tbe heat, and his condition is crltical. Chief Hill's legs were burned badly, and be is crippled up today.

The Grand Central Hotel was erected seven year s ago by Dr. Merritt and Captain Wilcox. The cost, Inoluding the furniture, was $175,000. Michael Reese purchased tbe building a short time before his death. The insurance was $10,000.

Tbe Webster House was tbe property or Dr. Merritt. It was not insured. Dr. Cushing will lose something on his house.

The damage done to houses, furniture, and the loss of tbe hotels, will reach $325,000.

Chief Engineer Hill and his men deserve speclal praise for the manner in which they prevented tbe fire spreading to the proportions of a general disaster. The Department is small, as it consists of four engines, with nine men eaoh ; two trucks, eleven men each ; two hose companies of nine men each ; a Chief and two Assistants.