Subscribe..
JAS. DURHAM HOUSE BURNED
House and Contents Almost A Total Loss
The unusual alarm of fire startled the town about ten minutes before 7 last Wednesday morning. Being so near the work hour, a good many at first thought the bells and whistle were sounding for 7 o’clock, but not so.
James Durham’s frame dwelling house on Ross street, near the G.T.R. depot, was the scene of the conflagration, and with the most of the contents was quickly reduced to ashes.
All that was got out were the piano and a very few other household articles. Gas was used for fuel, and the fire apparently caught from the chimney, probably the gas being turned causing greater heat than anticipated.
Mr. Durham was in Bay City, Mich., and Mrs. Durham in Toronto. Those in the house at the time were their son Teskey Durham, their daughter, Mrs. Dunlop, and her child. Mr. Dunlop and a boarder named Graham, who work at Beatty’s, had gone to their work. Mrs. Dunlop and baby has not yet risen, and as the fire got quite a start on the roof before being discovered, they were hustled out rather unceremoniously by the flames. The fire was discovered by Mr. Mathews of the G.T.R. and by Teskey Durham about the same time.
The loss is estimated at over $1100. The house alone was valued at $800 and was insured for $400. There was also $400 on the furniture. The insurance was with the Merchants and Equity companies. The flames made a clean sweep of all the clothing and personal effects of the boarder Graham.
The water pressure on the mains was very weak for some cause or other. Probably the building would have burned anyway owing to distance, etc., and it is fortunate that attention has been called to the water service for fire. This is a matter in which the safety of the whole town is at stake, and the council should remedy the trouble whatever it is, and that without an hour’s delay.
Welland Tribune
1 March 1901
Fire: 27 February 1901
Add A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.