Murphy, Grant & Co.
August 24, 1875
Bush & Sansome Streets

The only fire of any magnitude that occurred during the year was on the evening of August 24th, in the four-story brick and iron building on the corner of Bush and Sansome streets, owned and occupied by Murphy, Grant & Co. The fire, which had gained considerable headway before the alarm was sounded, threatened the destruction of considerable property, the contents being the largest stock of dry goods in the city, valued at $2,000,000 and insured for $742,000; but owing to the effective work of the Department, under the able management of Assistant Chief Brady, who was in charge during my absence from the city, and the valuable assistance rendered by CAPTAIN WHITE OF THE FIRE PATROL, AND HIS CORPS, WHO SPREAD THREE HUNDRED AND FOUR RUBBER COVERS AND SIXTY ROLLS OF TABLE OILCLOTH, THEREBY PREVENTING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE BY WATER, IT BEING THE LARGEST SPREAD MADE BY ANY PATROL IN THE UNITED STATES AT ANY ONE FIRE. The total loss on the building and contents was only $44,300.

Chief David Scannell
Source: 1875 Annual Report

Extracted from original sources with grammar and spelling as published.