FIRE MENACED BUSINESS BLOCKS ON WEST MAIN

Interior of Wehrie Building, Southeast Corner of Fourth and W. Main Streets and Occupied by Restaurant, Butted By Fire.

Damage to the extent of over $1,500 was done by fire which was discovered in the rear of the one story brick building at the corner of Fourth and Main streets shortly before Wednesday midnight.

The origin of the fire is unknown. The building, owned by the Wehrie brothers, is fairly well protected by fire insurance, and the stock of restaurant goods occupying the room and owned by Kami Bros., Syrian fruit merchants, is insured. The heaviest loser, Joe Fritz, who had occupied he corner for many years, places his loss at something over $1,000, with no insurance.

In September Mr. Fritz, who owned the fixtures and furniture in the restaurant room where he had been in business for years, leased it to the Syrian brothers, who came here from Dillonville, Jefferson county. They have conducted their restaurant and fruit business there since then.

It appears that the fire had gained much headway before it was discovered. Mr. Fritz and his wife and daughter had retired, and as as their sleeping apartments are directly over the rear of the restaurant, they were horrified when they were awakened by the crackling flames leaping upward through the window of their room. Both rushed down to the street in their night clothing and in the meantime an alarm had been turned into central fire station. An immediate response and quick work resulted in checking the flames before they did great damage to the front of the building.

Mr. Fritz had no idea of the origin of the fire. One of the Kami brothers said Thursday morning that they left early last evening as business was slow at the time. There was one gas light burning in the center of the room. Mr. Kami was unaware of the fire until his brother came down to open the store for business Thursday morning, when he returned and informed him of their loss. Mr. Kami states that he has been in the fruit business for 12 years and that his entire savings had been invested in a holiday stock of fruit, candy, cigars and restaurant supplies.

The Newark Advocate, Newark, OH 8 Dec 1910
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!