A FIERCE FIRE

Moore & Son’s Stable and Storeroom Burned

Methodist Church and Other Buildings Take Fire but are Saved

NARROW ESCAPE FROM A GREAT DISASTER

            Welland, June 15-A sensational fire occurred here today, resulting in considerable loss, and a very narrow escape from a great fire disaster. At half-past two, afternoon, the fire alarm sounded and the first glance out doors showed a huge column of smoke already in the centre of the town. The fire had started in Moore & Son’s stable in the rear of their implement warerooms on West Main street, near the bridge over the canal, the centre of a cluster of frame buildings immediately in rear of J. H. Crow’s, Rose’s and Crowther’s stores- a most dangerous spot, involving half the business premises of the town. As usual in the case of fire in barns, the flames spread with lightening rapidity. The structure burned like a match-box, the flames reaching out in all directions in less time than it takes to tell the tale.

            A frame building adjoining, owned and used by Moore & Son as a storeroom for implements, carriages etc., was soon in flames and was totally destroyed; both of these buildings were sheeted with metal.

             A small frame storeroom in rear of J.H. Crow’s store also caught fire and was practically destroyed, only the charred frame standing after the fire had been drowned out by the water; all the contents had been got out of Mr. Crow’s building except a few barrels of salt. The building was insured. Hiss loss is probably in the neighborhood of $150.

             These three were all the buildings that were actually destroyed.

             Stables belonging to R. Cooper and W.H. Crowther were in imminent danger, in fact were on fire several times and were only saved by the heroic exertions of the fire fighters.

             The same may be said of Clemo’s barber shop and Crow’s store; in fact the fate of the whole quarter of the town trembled in the balance for a bad quarter of an hour. Fortunately the fire department was promptly on hand. The hose cart from the north ward was first on the spot and had a stream of water playing on the fire in less than ten minutes, and a few minutes later all three streams were effective. Fortunately also there was but little wind at the time, and the fire was soon under control.

             Messrs. Moore & Son’s loss will probably reach $2500. There was some insurance on the barn, but none on the storeroom building or contents, where the principal loss occurred. The contents of the barn burned included a large quantity of hay, straw and oats just put in, and a valuable horse. The other building contained a large stock of new wagons and implements, only a few of which were gotten out.

             So intense was the heat that the sparks were carried to a great elevation and descended at a distance, starting several other fires and endangering half the town.

             Fires were thus on the roofs of A.O. Rose’s store, Mrs. R. Cooper’s millinery shop and the Methodist church, and whilst Mr. Clemo was so valiantly and efficiently protecting his building with his garden hose on the side next the fire, a spark flew over the building and lighted on his awning on the opposite side burning it badly.

             Mrs. Cooper’s loss by damage to walls, carpets and furniture by water will be considerable.

THE FIRE AT THE CHURCH

             No sooner had the first fire been gotten fairly under control than the tocsin again sounded, and word was quickly passed around that the Methodist church was on fire. A spark from the burning buildings had lighted on the roof of the church and ignited it. Fortunately the fire was on the lee side-the south side-protected from the northerly wind-and burned very slowly.

For some time the flame was visible as a “thin red line,” started by a spark near southeast corner of roof, slowly creeping up to the spire. A few buckets of water would have extinguished it, but the trouble was to touch the spot, the fire being up as high as four storeys of an ordinary building. A run of ill-luck gave the fire about half-an-hour free play before the water service could be made effective, during which time the flames ate their way through the roof, necessitating flooding the building with water, with heavy loss.

             When the water was first turned on, which was in a reasonable short time it was found that the stream could not be made to reach the fire, owing to its height and the low pressure caused by still using water for the fire at Moore’s. Then, a wait till a ladder could be erected. When the hose was hoisted on this and an attempt made to again turn on the water the hydrant at Roach’s broke necessitating a transfer to another hydrant and another wait. When water was turned on the third time it was found that there was still not force enough to reach the fire, even from the top of the ladder, which could not be placed to the best advantage owing to the trees. Before this time, however, a bucket brigade had been got in service, materially checking the fire by throwing water on it from the apex of the roof. Finally the nozzle was hoisted by a rope to the top of the roof and the fire drowned out, but the flooding of the south side of the church was unavoidable. The interior of the church will require to be repainted, and perhaps partly replastered, the cost of which will probably be from $500 to $1000. Loss to church covered by insurance in a number of different companies.

ORIGIN OF THE FIRE

             On examining the debris after the fire, Messrs. Moore & Son feel satisfied that the fire started in the roof or mow, and that a spark was blown in from somewhere. As the wind was from the southwest at the time, there seems a possibility that it might have come from Cutler’s mill stack, as shavings are used for fuel there.

SPARKS

             The firemen were hampered somewhat on account of crowding by spectators. The town authorities should arrange for effective police service at all fires.

             The metal on the frame buildings did grand service. Had it not been for it, Clemo’s, Crowther’s and other buildings would surely have burned, and there is no telling where the conflagration would have extended to. At the same time it is undeniable that in all new structures a still better class of buildings should be required for danger spots like that involved in Saturday’s fire. In fact, the town now urgently needs a better system with respect to the construction of new buildings. The fire limits should be extended, the conditions made more efficient, and no building allowed to be put up without a permit and proper inspection.

             A man had a narrow escape at the church fire. While getting to the roof he mis-stepped and broke a hole through the ceiling. Fortunately he caught hold of a joist and was extricated, but, had he fallen on the pews below, some twenty feet, he would in all probability have been instantly killed.

             Hugh Schooley of Humberstone had his horse tied to Mr. Moore’s barn, and was sitting in Mr. Moore’s office when the fire started. Hearing his horse utter a terrifying shriek, he ran out and found his horse almost enveloped in flames. H e succeeded in getting the animal away, but not before it was severely burned about one side of the head and shoulder, rendering the services of a veterinary necessary.

             The Press is informed that at least one lawn water service (on Franklin street) was kept running all the time of the fire. Every water tap should be closed during fires, as each open tap reduces the pressure.

People’s Press

18 June 1907

Fire: 15 June 1907

CHURCH RE-OPENING

The re-opening of the Methodist church was celebrated most auspiciously on Sunday. Special services were held morning and evening, at which large congregations were present. Rev. Dr. A.L. Gee of Brantford, president of the Hamilton Conference, officiated at both services, delivering interesting sermons. There was a full choir both times and appropriate hymns sung.

In the morning, Dr. Gee took for his text, Romans 1-14, “I am debtor.” He prefaced his remarks by placing an emphasis of the indebtedness of our forefathers to God and Christianity. He proceeded through various channels dealing with the subject until he turned to the present age, when he showed how the people of this day owe their education and progress to God and Christianity.

The contribution of the day amounted to upwards of $600.

People’s Press

6 August 1907