Show S EXPLOSION WAS NARROWLY AVERTED Early Morning Fire Ruins Two Grocery Stocks and Scorched Two Big Ng Tanks of Oil The most destructive fire that has occurred occurred oc oc- oc- oc In Salt Lake this year virtually destroyed the grocery stocks of J. J C Cl McGinley and W. W E E. E Farr who occupy adjoining stores on the corner of First South and West Vest Temple streets early carly this morning The bright blaze which was was seen seen for several blocks around was the first warning of the fire and an alarm was turned In from a nearby building The I entire fire department responded l. l The I flames had lad gained considerable headway in the tile rear end of 1 store when the first water Was thrown and was eating its way ay into the Farr store which was as badly damaged by heat smoke and water as was the store where the fire originated A narrow escape from a disastrous explosion explosion ex ex- was revealed this morning when it was discovered that two large oil tanks one In the rear of each store building had been scorched by the flames but had not become ignited The alarm was turned in at at- o'clock and several hours were consumed consumed con con- consumed before the fire fite was entirely ex ex- Mr McGinley said this morning that he carried a stock and estimated the damage at 1500 fully covered by insurance W. W E. E Farr carried 1500 Insurance Insurance insurance in In- on his 2500 stock and on his fixtures fixture He expects to collect all of this as he estimates his loss as an almost complete one The origin of the fire Is unknown The only theory advanced is that matches were ignited in some unaccountable way |