In Philadelphia, Fourth of July fireworks put on a display a week early when a merchant's establishment burns

Two four storey buildings on South Delaware Street in Philadelphia filled with merchants' goods caught fire in the early afternoon and burned to the ground over the next few hours.  Adding to the nature of the fire were thousands of dollars worth of Fourth of July fireworks which went up with spectacular effect, showering the neighborhood with a huge impromptu display.  No injuries were reported but a loss of $100,000 was estimated. (By John Osborne)