TWO HORSES LOST IN EARLY MORNING BLAZE DESTROYING OLD BARN ON DIVISION ST.

[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 25 April 1931]

Building Owned by Welland Cartage Company While Animals Belonged to Atkins Bakery-Truck, Hay and Harness Also Lost-Fire Presents Brigade With Stiff Three Hour Fight-Plant of Atherton Woodworking Company Saved Only Through Fine Work of Firemen.

Fire shortly after midnight destroyed on old barn on Division street, owned by George Smith of the Welland Cartage company, burned two valuable horses to death, destroyed a large quantity of hay and several sets of harness owned by Ernest Atkins, baker, and also destroyed a truck, valued at $750, owned by Mr. Smith, the total monetary loss being around $1,250.

The horses were owned by Mr. Atkins, and were valued around $400. The plant of the Atherton Woodworking company, which was but 10 feet away from the roaring furnace, was saved only through the courageous and energetic work of the fire brigade _of the company. James H. Atherton believed the fire brigade should be heartily commended. The blaze lasted three hours, and for more than two hour occasioned for the firemen the hardest and at times the most dangerous work. Cause of the fire is believed by Mr. Smith, proprietor of the Welland Cartage Company, and owner of the barn, to have been a lighted cigarette left in the hay loft by hoboes. There was no insurance on any of the horses.

William Spark, who resides on Division street, noticed the blaze. Only partly clad he rushed to the barn, and hoped to effect a rescue of the horses, but the inside of the structure was a roaring furnace, and it was impossible to do anything. He rang fire alarm 41. At about the same time two young men in an automobile on Division street, James Beals and a friend, noticed the fire, and they rushed their car to Central fire hall in the belief it would be quicker to do that than to pull the alarm, according to the narrative given to The Tribune. The moment they reached the fire hall the hooter rang out.

The fire brigade responded immediately with Assistant Fire Chief Joseph C. MacMillan in charge. In all 33 fire fighters participated and 12 lengths of hose were used. The Central fire hall pumper and hose and ladder truck also accompanied the men in the blaze. Mr. Atkins and Mr. Atherton were both present during the course of the fire and they informed the Tribune that the two horses were dead, before anything could be done to rescue them from their dreadful position.

The barn was an ancient frame structure valued at approximately $500, and about five years ago Mr. Smith had two garages built on as an annex……..