Multiple Fires NOVEMBER 1872

FIRE-The chimney of the Tremont House caught fire on Monday last, but was extinguished without damage. As we have no facilities for extinguishing fires, we hope the inhabitants of our wooden town will use all possible precaution to prevent fire, and keep well insured and obey the provisions of the insurance policy. Unless this is done, we will represent Chicago and Boston, only on a smaller scale, some of these windy days.

Welland Tribune

27 November 1872

Fire: 25 November 1872

FIRE-On Friday last, about midnight, our citizens were alarmed by the unwonted cry of fire and an investigation quickly proved that the north side school house was hopelessly enveloped in flames. The parties first arriving succeeded in rescuing the books, desks, and part of the window sash, the rest of the building was consumed or rendered useless. The building was of brick, and cost $300. The fire was caused by ashes left in the entry. We are informed that ashes were left both in a tin pail and in a wooden box. There was an insurance of $600 on the premises in the Welland Mutual Insurance Co., but inasmuch as a condition of the policy is to the effect that the company will not be held responsible for loss from fire caused by leaving ashes in wooden vessels, it is doubtful if the town will get the insurance money. The circumstances certainly judicate a great lack of caution both on the part of the teacher and the trustees-on the part of the teacher in not seeing that proper care was taken of the ashes, and on the part of the trustees in not having the building more heavily insured and in not seeing that the conditions of the policy were strictly observed.

Welland Tribune

27 November 1872

Fire: 22 November 1872

FIRE-At about 12.30 a.m. on Saturday morning, a fire was observed to break out in the brick school house, on the north side of the Chippawa river. With the help at hand, it was found impossible to stop the fire, and before sufficient aid came the flames had obtained such hold as to render any attempt to put them out ineffectual. As no hopes of saving the building could be entertained, attention was turned to rescuing as much as possible from the devouring element. The desks, chairs and all the books of the pupils were gotten out safely, and most of the windows were taken out of their casings and carried away to a place of safety, so that little was left but the walls and roof. This fire broke out apparently in the lobby, where some ashes had been deposited, from which it is supposed the fire originated as it first showed itself above this spot. The house is a ruin. The building is insured to the amount of $600 in the Welland Mutual Insurance Company.

Welland Telegraph

28 November 1872