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REEB BLOCK IN PORT COLBORNE TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE EARLY FRIDAY MORNING
Building carried only $2000 insurance, had been erected 60 years-
Whole street was threatened by flames owing to wind.
[People’s Press, 12 August 1919]
Fire totally destroyed the frame business block owned by Eugene Reeb, Port Colborne, early Friday morning, when about $15,000 damage was done before the untiring and praiseworthy efforts of the local fire brigade, aided by the Humberstone company, were successful in quelling the flames. A strong wind threatened the entire street and it was solely owing to the good work of the department that other buildings in the vicinity were saved.
The block comprised three stores on the ground floor, a drug store and ice cream parlor owned by Mr. H.J. M’Haffey, a grocery store owned by Mr. J. Shibley, and a fruit store owned by Sebastianio and Romeo. These premises and their contents were completely destroyed.
Insurance on the buildings amounted to $2000. The building was erected over sixty years ago, being one of the landmarks of the town. Mr. M’Haffey’s stock valued at about $15,000 and insurance to the amount of $7,500 was carried on it. Insurance on the Shibley stock, which was valued at $7000 was nil, the policy having lapsed only a short time ago, never having been renewed.
In addition to thee premises, a clothes-cleaning and pressing establishment also located in the block was also destroyed, along with a number of suits which had been left in over night. The block was located at the corner of West and Clarence streets.
The fire was first noticed by the night policeman about two o’clock in the morning. An alarm was immediately sounded by Mr. F. Boyer, a totally blind man who lived near by and who ran down the street ringing a bell and crying “Fire.” Boats on the canal took up the alarm and in a few moments a crowd of citizens had formed a volunteer brigade and commenced throwing water on the building, which was now a burning mass. The Humberstone fire engine and crew were soon on the job and helped pump seven streams of water from the canal. A freshening north wind seriously menaced all the buildings which were mostly frame, in the vicinity, but water was constantly applied to surrounding roofs with the result that a great deal of property was saved which otherwise would have been lost.
At six o’clock Friday evening the fire was still smouldering although all danger had been obviated by the through drenching given the ruins.
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