Narrow Escape from Death at Midnight: Byrne and Asimov Genealogy and Family Histories

Source Information

Title	Narrow Escape from Death at Midnight
Date	4 Aug 1900
Date Viewed	18 Nov 2025
Page	14
Periodical	The Call Bulletin
Place	San Francisco, CA USA
Source Type	Newspaper
URL	https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-call-bulletin-sumner-s/185226302/
Source ID	S1709
Text	NARROW ESCAPES FROM DEATH AT MIDNIGHT FIRE Sleeping Occupants of Burning Structure Fled From the Flames. An Early Morning Blaze Near Eighth and Folsom Streets Creates Great Excitement in the Neighborhood. Residents in the vicinity of Eighth and Folsom streets had a narrow escape from death by fire at an early hour this morning. Without warning their slumbers were rudely disturbed by cries of fire and the crackling of flames in their very midst. Children were caught from their beds and hurried into the streets, and men and women rushed frantically about to save what belongings they could. An alarm was turned in from box 184 and within a few minutes a second alarm was turned in and the Fire Department was soon battling the flames. The fire was confined to the center of the block and destroyed property in the rear of Sumner, Eignth and Clementina streets. Damage to the extent of several thousands of dollars was done before the fire could be got under control. It was shortly after midnight that the residents of that vicinity were aroused the from their slumbers by the odor of smoke, crackling of flames and the shouts of people in the streets. Harry Thompson, a painter, who lives at 22 Sumner street, was aroused by his wife and they quickly carried their two children to a place of safety and returned to save what little furniture they could. Their property was damaged by water and was not insured. Benjamin Adair, an employe of the Independent Electric Light Company, living at 16½ Sumner street, carried all his household effects into the street. E. H. Evans, who lives in the rear of 221 Eightn street, was unable to save his goods and chattels. He helped his wife to a place of safety and then remembered the woman who lived downstairs, and rushed back and aided her in bringing her little ones out of danger. Below him lived a Miss Sweeney, a woman of past middle age. The latter was almost frightened to death by the excitement, and the neighbors had a hard time comforting her and getting her out of her hysterics. Mrs. William Hoffman, whose rooms adjoined Miss Sweeney's, was aroused from her sleep by the heat. She shook her husband and they wrapped their three babes in blankets and carried them to the home of a neighbor. Their furniture was not insured and they will probably suffer a heavy loss. The property in which Hoffman, Mr. Evans and Miss Sweeney lived was owned by Mrs. Mary Sweeney, who carried a light insurance on the buildings. The stable owned and occupied by Michael Powers was totally destroyed. At the outbreak of the fire neighbors, seeing the danger to the barn, broke open the doors and dragged the frightened animals to a place of safety. John Cornish, who owned the adjoining stable, suffered no loss. He took no chances of the flames spreading and dragged his horses and wagons out of their resting place. Timothy Kelleher, who lives at 18½ Sumner street, and Con Austin, suffered who resides at 20½ Sumner street, damage to their goods by water. Sparks from the burning structures set fire to the roof of Mrs. Mary Donnelly's home at 19½ Sumner street, and for a time a second conflagration seemed imminent. The firemen quickly subdued the fire and all danger was averted. The buildings on Sumner street were owned by Emil Orack, 1147 Howard street. They were slightly insured. Fire Marshal Towe after an investigation stated that the fire was caused by hot ashes in an iron ash can which rested against the fence in the little alleyway that separated the houses. He pointed to the overturned barrel and said that the flimsy woodwork was ignited by the redhot ashes. He gave it as his opinion that the rookeries that were on fire were worse than those in Chinatown. The fire laddies had a hard time battling the flames. They had to fight the conflagration from all sides. Winding alleys and high fences impeded their every movement..
Linked to Individuals: 2	AUSTIN, Charlotte Amanda THOMPSON, Harry Gilbert

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