Show fire destroys home about 1230 p to wednesday the home ot of mr and mrs levon lavon openshaw on empire avenue was discovered on fire and despite the efforts of neighbors and firemen the home and contents were completely destroyed the fire was first discovered discover ed by lawrence bye while on his way home he saw smoke issuing from the home and gained entrance by forcing a door open when names flames burst forth the interior of the home being a mass of flames he sent in an alarm but the firemen were almost helpless as it was impossible to get the chemical truck through the deep snow and water could not be obtained from the hydrants on empire avenue a hose had to be run from norfolk avenue and by that time the fire was beyond all con ciol A fight was made to save the residence of mrs james gibson the next door neighbor the north side ot of this home was burned through and considerable damage done to the kitchen the origin of the fire Is not known but it Is thought it W was caused u by a detective defective flue or perhaps defective wiring mrs openshaw had left the home about 11 and was at the home of her parents mr and mrs hugh maw binney when she left the house housa there was only a medium fire in the stove the loss on household effects Is estimated at with no insurance the building was owned by melvln melvin E newbold Mew bold the mutual coal man he estimates his loss at he may receive about 00 insurance from the building and loan association through lie he vas vaas buying the property the loss of mrs gibson Is fully covered by insurance |