LARGE FIRE AT LYKENS
From the Lykens Register we take full particulars of the fire which lately occurred in that town:
Lykens was visited on Monday evening last by the most destructive fire ever experienced in this place. It broke out about four o’clock, in the back part of the building on Market Street occupied by Percival Erdman and store of Jacob Reiff, a low two-story frame structure, which was soon destroyed, the flames extending north to Mr. Reiff’s residence and also lapping up his large cabinet shop, stable, wagon shed, etc., in the rear. Still beyond control it spread rapidly north, and in a short space of time all the buildings to North street, two double and one single house, were enveloped. These premises were occupied by Isaac DeFrehn, Charles Broome and Mrs. Carrie Davis, all of whom sustained more or less loss of household goods. One tenement was unoccupied, another contained the furniture of Robert Broome, owner of the properties, who has been living in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, for a year or two past. The contents of this house were mostly saved. At six o’clock the entire square was a mass of ruins. Mr. Reiff estimates his loss at $5,000. His wife also lost nearly $100 in specie. Mr. Erdman’s family lost nearly everything they possessed.
The efforts of the people were directed to prevent the spread of the fire across the alley from whence it started to the double brick dwelling owned by Col. E. G. Savage. The window hoods, sash, and about a foot of the roof on the side next to the alley, were burnt off, and also the fence along the lot. Thew house was saved. The stable of Edward Miller, in the rear of his residence, North Second Street, and surrounding buildings were in great danger, and all along the street there was cause for alarm during the early part of the fire, by reason of a fresh northwest breeze. The wind veered later, carrying the flames in a northeasterly direction. A large ember lodged on the roof of the Lutheran church, which had it not been extinguished at once, would have fired the building.
______________________________________________
From the Harrisburg Telegraph, July 27, 1878, via Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.