FIRST FIRE OF 1892

McMurray’s Store Burned-Best’s Meat Market Damaged-Narrow Escape

             Welland, Feb 6-At 5 o’clock this morning the cry of fire rang through the streets, and those earliest on the scene found P. McMurray’s stove store, Main st., all ablaze in the west end. The alarm was quickly given, and the firemen responded with very effective work. McMurray’s building was joined on the east by Best’s butcher shop, both light frame buildings, and before the streams from the waterworks began to play the first building was one solid mass of flame and Best’s was partly on fire. If both these got going in earnest, the postoffice (next to Best’s) was in imminent danger. At this point, however, the hose which had been laid from the nearest hydrant began to writhe, and in an instant a solid stream was doing good work-then another, and still another. The force of water was terrific, and when the branchman occasionally missed his mark the column would shoot into the dense smoke and cinders far above the highest surrounding buildings. For fifteen minutes it was a stubborn fight between the firemen and their foe as to which would claim the Best building. The Merritt boys worked like heroes, and Mr. Best also did good service in directing matters on the roof of his shops. Slowly but surely the red flames gave place to hissing streams and rolling clouds of smoke, and the fire was subdued. The only building burned was that in which the fire started, and the firemen may well be proud of the saving of Best’s, which was on fire time and time again.

             During the progress of the fire, Firemen George Wells came near losing his life. While at work on the roof of the butcher shop, he slipped on the icy shingles and shot down the decline toward the burning pile, lodging between the two buildings. Almost suffocated by smoke he called instantly for help whenever he could get breath, and finally Al. Douglas and Wm. Hawkins succeeded in throwing him the end of a small lawn hose and pulling him out of his frightful position. It was a close call.

             The origin of the fire cannot be accounted for. Mr. McMurray was awakened by his wife and ran to the fire in hopes of saving his books. He succeeded in getting open the front door, but the heat was too much for any human being to stand, and everything was abandoned to the flames. Not a solitary article was saved without damage. Stock was taken about a week previous, and the total loss is estimated at $3,000; on which there is $500 insurance on building, in the Royal Canadian; $200 on the tools and $1,300 on the stock in the Caledonia.

             Mr. McMurray opened business again at once, in the Lounsbury block, and will push business as usual in spite of the misfortune which has come upon him.

             Mr. Best’s roof and ceiling is riddled with holes and the plaster water-soaked, but his stock was not injured to any great extent. His loss is fully covered by insurance.

             Agent Jno. F. Hill had issued all the above policies.

             Without the waterworks the fire would certainly have been doubly disastrous. Too much praise cannot be given our waterworks system and the work of our fire company. If the steamer had been our only means of protection, the fire could not have been checked where it was.

             Later-The claims have been adjusted and insurance paid as follows:-To P. McMurray, on stock, tools and building, $1900; to W.J. Best, damage on building, $75.

Welland Tribune

12 February 1892

Fire: 6 February 1892