BARRACKS BURNED

The Salvation Army Lose All Their Worldly Goods

No Insurance on Building or Contents

             For a second time within a week the cry of “Fire” rang through the streets, about 12:45 Sunday morning. Ward 3 was again the scene of destruction, and the fire was but a few rods from that of the previous Tuesday night. The fire started in the north-east corner of Mr. Morwood’s large wooden building; corner of Frazer and Bald streets and in five minutes the eastern half of the barracks was a sheet of flame. The west side hose carriage was quickly on the ground and one, two, and finally three streams were playing upon the conflagration. Mr. Berger’s music store and Mr. Fred White’s house were in imminent danger up to this moment, but the powerful streams effectively prevented any spreading of the fire. The wind was favorable. Had it blown from the prevailing quarter (south-west), the waterworks would have been tested to their utmost to have prevented a fearful conflagration.

             The cry of fire was echoed on both sides of the canal, but the west-siders “got there” so quickly that the first stream was playing upon the fire before the town bell rang out the alarm-all of which proves the desirability of  a better system of fire alarm.

             On the upper floor of the barracks were the sleeping apartments of Captain Crosby and Cadet Oder of the local army corps, (two ladies) and they had a close call from a fearful death. Mrs. Wm. Berger was the first to discover the fire, being awakened by the crackling noise. Aware that the girls were in the building, Mr. Berger at once ran, broke in the corner door, which had been nailed up for the winter, and awoke the girls, who escaped through the broken door, exit through the barracks auditorium being already cut off by the fast advancing flames. The young women had only time to escape in their night clothes, the only other wearing apparel recovered being a pair and a half of stockings. Friends supplied them temporarily with clothing, and on Monday our people subscribed to a fund to replace their private effects.

             The foregoing are the facts, and although the young women were not dragged out by Mr. Berger in an insensible condition as reported in an imaginative St. Catharines paper, they do without doubt owe their lives to the prompt and vigorous action of that gentleman.

             The army estimate their loss at something over $200-which includes seats, stoves, bedding, carpets the big drum, &c., upon which there is no insurance. It is not probable that the building will be re-erected at present.

             This is the third fire in this block this winter, and we must hope for a long respite before another alarm is sounded if we are to keep our well won reputation of being a “lucky town” in the matter of fires.

             The origin of the fire is unknown. Ashes, we believe, were kept near the spot where the fire started, and many think this accounts for it. The occupants, however, stoutly affirm that no ashes had been put there recently, and that none had ever been there that were not thoroughly cold. Those of the army with whom we have spoken believe the place was set on fire, the rumored results of army troubles or of proceedings against those who have at times past annoyed the army.

Welland Tribune

25 January 1889

Fire: 20 January 1889

ANOTHER BLAZE

The Barracks Destroyed

Two Salvation Lasses Barely Escape With Their Lives

             On the corner of Fraser and Bald streets there has stood for years a familiar landmark, in the shape of a large wooden building. It was originally built, we believe, by the Messrs. White for a carriage shop. After their removal from it, to more commodious quarters, it became a tenement building, as many as four families sometimes living in it. It has for a few years back been owned by Mr. R. Morwood, and for the last year or two the Salvation Army have made it their head quarters. The ground floor was used for Army meetings, and the second storey was the dwelling place of the officers in charge. The present officers are Capt. Crosby and Lieut. Oder, two ladies.

             At about one o’clock on Sunday morning, these ladies were awakened by clouds of smoke. When they realized that the building was on fire, and their consequent terrible position, they made frantic efforts to escape. Their cries were heard by neighbors who discovered the fire at about the same time. The only avenue of escape for the inmates of the burning building was through a door that had been nailed up from the inside. This door was broken open by Mr. Berger, and the ladies rescued. The hose was attached and the fire kept from spreading to adjacent buildings.

             This second test of the waterworks confirmed the good opinion formed of their efficiency at the fire last week. The whole building was a mass of flames when the water was turned on, but so effectively did the deluge of water drown out the fire, that a portion of the frame still remains standing. The contents of the building were all consumed. They included furniture, musical instruments, wearing apparel &c. There was no insurance on the building, Army property being considered too hazardous by underwriters. The total loss is estimated at about $800.

             The streams of water were turned on the fire several minutes before the fire bell rang.

             Mrs. W. Berger was first to discover the fire. She saw the building in flames from her bedroom window. She awoke her husband who immediately ran out, kicked open the door of the barracks and rescued the girls.

Welland Telegraph

25 January 1889