FIRE AT McALPINE’S

FIRE AT McALPINE’S- At about 11 p.m. on Monday evening last, while the “hop” was going on in the Firemen’s hall, Welland, an alarm of fire was raised. As, at the last time the firemen had a ball a false alarm was raised, the officers were very cautious in taking out the engine, especially as it rained very hard. Everything was got ready, however, and as soon as it was found that it really was a fire, the alarm was sounded and the engine immediately started. Arriving at the scene, Mr. McAlpine’s brick dwelling, about a mile down the creek, was in flames. The engine was promptly at work, but the water in the two wells failing, very little was accomplished beyond saving the walls, and a little outbuilding. The building was rented to a Mr. Linch, who had just completed furnishing it with a lot of new furniture, &c., which was uninsured. We learn the origin of the fire was a defective connection between stove-pipe and chimney in the garnet, which caused sparks to fall when the occupants of the house came home to get their tea. A card of thanks appears in another column from Mr. A. J. McAlpine.

Welland Telegraph

6 July 1877

Fire: 2 July 1877

HOUSE BURNED- On Monday night last, a small brick house on the outskirts of the town, belonging to A.J. McAlpine, caught fire and with contents was totally destroyed. The building was tenanted by Mr. Edward Lynch, dredgeman for Mr. Silcox, who, with his wife and child, was in attendance at the Firemen’s Hop at the time, and lost all his furniture excepting a bureau and five chairs. There was no insurance on any of the property. Some think the fire was the result of incendiarism but Mr. McAlpine is very positive it originated from a stove pipe that was not properly secured. The loss is not heavy. The fire engine was on the ground after the building had been pretty well burned down, and put out the coals, saving some of the window benches. A difference has arisen between the Fire Co and Mr. McAlpine, growing out of the matter. The firemen accuse Mr. McAlpine of wanting them to draw the engine back to town instead of having one of his teams do it, whilst Mr. McAlpine says that had the engine been brought promptly to the fire as might have been done, much would have been saved.

Welland Tribune

6 July 1877

MR. McALPINE explains that the reason he did not get his team to bring the engine back from the fire immediately upon being requested was because they were not at the scene of the fire, not that he did not wish to perform the service. He, however, sent for his horses and, as a matter of fact, they did draw the steamer back to the firemen’s hall.

Welland Tribune

13 July 1877