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Article: Retail Chain Founder Dies in Md. Fire
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- November 22, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Walter Bell, the founder of W. Bell & Co., one of the area's
longtime retail chains before it went out of business in 1991, died
yesterday after being pulled from the burning remains of his Potomac
home.
The 84-year-old businessman ran a 20-store catalogue-showroom
specializing in jewelry and household items that thrived for decades
until an onslaught of price-cutting competitors forced its closure.
Montgomery County firefighters were summoned to Bell's home at 1
a.m. yesterday by a security firm that reported a fire alarm sounding
inside the house.
Fire officials said they arrived at 9012 Belmart Rd. about six
minutes after the call for help was received and found heavy fire and
smoke ...