Results for ‘Fires’
[Welland Tribune, 17 August 1894]
At half past three o’clock Wednesday morning the alarm of fire was sounded. The scene of the conflagration was the blacksmith shop on Division street, next east of the Commercial hotel, owned by Mrs. Cafferty and used by Mr. Gillam, blacksmith. As the building was an open frame structure the fire got a good start before discovery or at least before the alarm was sounded.
As nearly as is known, the hosemen began to play upon the fire in six minutes after the first tap of the ball.
By this time, however, the flames had extended to the barn and stables of Mr. T. Roach of the Commercial, making a terribly hot fire. Fortunately, however, almost a dead calm prevailed at the time, and although Dr. Schooley’s barn was all but ablaze, and the roof and sides of the hotel smoked and cracked dangerously, the two streams of water, one on either side, confined the flames to the blacksmith shop and the stables. Even an outbuilding belonging to the hotel property alongside the barn, to the south, was saved.
The blacksmith shop is of course a total loss, except perhaps the sills. It was owned by Mrs. Cafferty, and was valued at about $150. Insured for $50.
Mr. Roach’s drive shed was burned, and the barn is a wreck. The horse was removed by Mr. Roach himself just as the flames burst into the stall. Both Mr. Roach and the horse got singed a little, but not seriously. Tom threw a halter over the horse’s head; put his arm round his neck, and the intelligent animal allowed himself to be led out. As soon as out the door, Mr. Roach had to let him loose, to look after the safety of his family. The horse ran a distance, came back to the stables as near as he could approach for the heat, and then struck a bee line gallop for the race track. Mr. Roach’s loss is between $500 and $600 on buildings, on which there is an insurance of $200, in addition he lost a buggy, new set of harness, three hogs, quantity of hay, oats, &c. His loss will foot up to between $700 and $800, less the insurance. He will rebuild the stables at once.
Dr. Schooley’s line fence was partly burned and one side of this stable was scorched.
It is possible the fire may have been caused by s spark smouldering from the day before. It is said the fire bench had been filled in under with sods, and possibly these dried out so as to burn like peat, the fire eventually reaching the floor. Either that or the fire was the work of an incendiary. Dr. Schooley had notified the owner of the shop the day before the fire that it was not properly protected from fire.
We cannot close our report without again complimenting the fire department on the prompt and efficient service rendered. As usual in this town, the loss was restricted to the smallest margin possible under any circumstances after the start the fire had.
Fire: 15 August 1894
NEARLY A BLAZE- On Monday night last, Mr. and Mrs. Bowman, Bald street, left their house to come down town to see the fireworks; while absent, the children, it is supposed, were playing with fire-crackers setting fire to the carpet in one of the rooms. Mr. Nichols, who boarded there, chancing to come in just in time, stopped the blaze and thus saved the house, contents, and perhaps the lives of the children.
Welland Telegraph
6 July 1877
Fire: 2 July 1877
Loss $400-No Insurance
Welland, June 1-Geo. Hughes’ bakery on Division street was completely destroyed by fire early this morning. The loss is about $400 on which Mr. Hughes has no insurance. Mr. Hughes had been in business only a few months and the loss is a very serious one to him. He had been working in the bakery from one o’clock until about four o’clock and had gone in the house to lie down for a few minutes. When he returned in about twenty minutes he found the interior of the bakery all ablaze. An alarm was rung to which the firemen quickly responded. The bakery, a small frame building, was nearly burned when the firemen arrived. The house, occupied by Mr. Hughes, is owned by Mrs. McCoppen, and stands only a few feet away from the burned bakery. The back of it was charred by the flames, and had it not been for the fireproof roof, it would have been difficult to save it. As it was the house was on fire several times. The fire is supposed to have started from a “hot plate” attached to the gas pipe by a rubber hose. The hose apparently became disconnected from the stove, and the gas catching fire, set fire to the building.
Mr. Hughes was about to sell out the business. An agreement had been made by which Mr. McNeil of Oakville was to take over the business on Monday morning next.
People’s Press
10 June 1906
Fire: 1 June 1906
FIRE ALARM- Last Sunday about 11 o’clock in the forenoon, the alarm of fire at Chamber’s tin shop was given investigation proving that one of the posts of the building, which was pretty well elevated from the ground, was on fire. A few tough boards enclosing under the house were ripped off and what might have proven a devastating conflagration, as a high gale was prevailing at the time, was nipped in the bud by the application of a few pails full of water. It is a mystery how the fire originated unless from a cigar stub or pipe, the corner being one much frequented by street loafers on Sundays, whom property owners in the neighborhood would do well to warn away. The engine was got out promptly but its services were not required.
Welland Tribune
6 July 1877
Fire: 1 July 1877
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
Ellsworth’s Planing Mill Burned
WELLAND, July 30-Welland was visited with a disastrous conflagration to-day, resulting in the total destruction by fire of Ellsworth’s saw and planing mill, Shepards’s canning factory, and other property. Mr. Ellsworth and all his men were away working at a job in town, except the engineer, John Baker. The fire originated in the boiler room, in the temporary absence of the engineer. The building was wholly of wood, barn-like and filled with dry, inflammable material, so that it blazed up like a bunch of matches. Although the fire took place at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and was immediately detected, yet before the alarm bell was rung, the smoke and flames were pouring out of every interstice of the building. Besides the large frame building a large quantity of lumber, manufactured and rough, was burned, making the heat so great as to threaten to ignite Schomacher’s and Gross’s houses to the south and Gross’s pump factory to the west. A quantity of lumber piled between Gross’s factory and the burning building quickly ignited and increased the danger to Gross’s. Fortunately the wind blew toward the river, so that the engine was got to working before the flames got to the hottest. Two streams were kept playing on the flames, which were speedily got under so far as the lumber was concerned, rendering Gross’s factory safe. The firemen worked as brave firemen only know how. Unfortunately the suction hose slipped and took in a lot of sand and pebbles, breaking but not entirely disabling the engine.
Latterly the business of canning peas had been carried on by Mr. Shepard in the mill, steam from the boiler being utilized for cooking purposes. Until the day previous the number of women and children employed had been located upstairs in the planing mill, but had just been moved downstairs into an addition built for them. Had they been upstairs we would undoubtedly have a horror to relate, as it would have been utterly impossible for them to have escaped considering the fearful rapidity with which the flames enveloped the building.
The principal losers are John Hunter, of the former firm of Hunter, Murray & Co., the first aqueduct contractors, who owned the saw and planing mill. Mr. Hunter’s loss is probably about $1000; insured for $2000.
Geo. Ellsworth loses a large quantity of tools, plank and material. He was doing a good business in building, sawing &c., which is of course destroyed.
H.N. Shepard who was canning peas for a Hamilton canning factory loses all he had invested in the business. The Hamilton factory will also be losers. There was about $600 or $700 worth of canned peas in the building, part of which were saved, as they were stored on the windward side of the building.
Edward Teskey had 25 new fanning mills burned, valued at about $700. In a few days more the mills would have been sold and removed.
W.H. Crow had about $500 worth of lumber burned, partially insured.
A.D. Brown, of Wellandport, suffered a loss of some $200 on timber and plank that was being handled in the saw mill. This fire is further referred to in our article on the water works, elsewhere in this paper.
Welland Tribune
5 August 1887
Fire:30 July 1887
Sunday morning, about 1 o’clock, as the Dexter House bus was returning from the Michigan Central depot, the driver observed a man making off from the direction of the Centennial block out of town towards the woods. Coming opposite the Centennial the driver also saw that the building was on fire in the interior. The Centennial is a poorly-constructed long frame building, divided into tenements, only one of which was occupied-that at the north end, by the colored indigent Lynn. The fire had been started about the middle of the block. The driver at once drove to the fire hall and alarmed Mr. Eastman who sounded the tocsin, and the steamer was speedily on the spot. By this time the fire had spread along under the roof, both ways, and for over half the length of the building. The roof was completely burned through in many places and the flames extended widely throughout the interior of the structure. That the building was not burned down is certainly matter of surprise, and too many, who would have liked to have seen the unsightly structure out of the way, regret. The putting out of the fire after it had gained so great headway is also an unmistakable certificate to the efficiency of our fire department and steamer. The damage done is not great, probably amounting to $300. The block is owned by Geo. W. Banks, Toronto, and is said to have been well insured. It was in course of being repaired and repainted. The fire is thought to have been the work of an incendiary…In this connection the members of Merritt Fire Co. desire to tender thanks to Deputy Reeve Burgar for kindly furnishing them with coffee at the close of their exhaustive labor at the fire. It touched the right spot, and was greatly appreciated by the “fire laddies.”
Welland Tribune
15 April 1887
Fire: 10 April 1887
Frazer House, White’s Livery Stables and Jamieson’s Shop Burned
NARROW ESCAPE OF OTHER BUILDINGS
Good Work done by the Fire Department
Loss About $9,300.
FULL PARTICULARS
On Friday last, at about 11:15 p.m., flames were seen to issue from the rear of White Bros’ livery stable. The alarm was given immediately, and the hour being comparatively early, there were soon plenty of men and women too, on the scene and working with a will to save all that possibly could be saved, but like
ALL EXCITED
people, their work was ill-directed at times. All the horses and carriages were got out of the first floor of White’s livery stables-his heaviest loss being the contents of the upper floor. The Frazer House, being in the direction of the wind, the slight delay in getting the fire engines at work, and the obstruction offered to the stream of water by the wooden battlement surrounding the slates of the roof, was doomed, and here the work of moving, went bravely on.
One man
THREW A MIRROR
out of the window, which of course was smashed to pieces on the veranda. He next appeared at the window with a wash bowl and pitcher when he was collared by some person from behind, and his
CAREER OF DESTRUCTION
came to and end,-but it still feared that he got out of the burning building alive, and will then live to “run” another fire.
When the engine got fairly at work it soon had a powerful effect on the fire, but the livery stable and the barber shop were of such light and combustible material, and having been built close against the Frazer House, and the wind blowing up hard at the time, it was almost impossible to save the latter building-and more especially as attention had to be paid to the spread of the fire in the opposite direction, and despite the most strenuous exertions of the firemen, a portion of the burned roof fell in and soon the whole interior, up stairs was
WRAPPED IN FLAMES.
The branchmen then directed the stream of the hose into the windows, doing some brave and dangerous work inside, while the roof was all ablaze. At about 2 a.m. the fire was pretty much extinguished with Whites’s livery stables and finishing room (for carriage work) and Jamieson’s barber shop a heap of ashes; and the Frazer House gutted, but the walls and lower part of the building still stand. Mrs. Gibson’s store was cleaned out but the building not burned. Mr. Appleyard’s tin store and the Misses Lambert, milliners, and others also suffer some loss from moving.
THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE
is the subject of different opinions. Some think that it must have been caused deliberately or purposely by some one in or in the rear of White’s stable, but Mr. White is positive it was caused by sparks from Jamieson’s chimney blowing into his stable. As a matter of fact the wind on that night blew strongly from the direction of White’s towards Jamieson’s but Mr. White explains how this might be and by saying that the latter premises being next to and lower than the Frazer House, the wind eddied here, causing a return current that would carry the sparks as he claims that they were carried. There is no possibility that the cause will ever positively be known.
WHITE’S LOSS
Messrs. White Bros., carriage makers and livery stable, are the heaviest losers and unfortunately they had no insurance. The building was used as a livery stable, with store shed in the rear and finishing and paint room up stairs. The horses and vehicles in use were mostly got out of the livery stable, but the contents of the shed and second floor were totally destroyed, comprising 9 sleighs, 5 buggies, harness (including a new $85 set of back harnesses), robes, blankets, lumber, leather for carriage trimming, trimming and painting tools, parts of carriage works, a manufacturing rowing machine, oats, hay &c. A cow in the shed became frightened, could not get out and was also lost. They estimate their loss at between $3000 and $3,500. Their workshop and blacksmith shop, situate some distance in the rear of the livery stable were not burned.
T.F. BROWN’S
Mr. T.F. Brown, the lessee of the Frazer House, estimates his loss at $2,500 comprised in destruction and damage by fire, water and removal of hotel furniture, fittings, billiard tables insured for $450 in the Canada Fire & Marine Co., and the other property for $1000 in the Royal Canadian. The representatives of the companies interested were promptly on hand and satisfactorily adjusted and settled the claims, paying proportionately as the amount of the insurance was to the total value of the property insured.
L AND M. T. J. BROWN’S
The Frazer House building was situated immediately west of the Court House and owned by Louisa and Matilda T.J. Brown, daughter and widow of the late D. P. Brown, Esq., at Crowland. The building was a large square brick one with a peculiarly shaped roof, raised in the centre with a wooden battlement around the front and side, which, with the sign, presented a barrier to the stream from the engine and afforded a nest for the fire. In fact the whole roof was little better than a tinder box-had it been otherwise, the building would have been saved. The roof was burned off and the second story run through by fire, the first story, though not much burned was drenched by water and covered with the debris from above. The walls lean badly, but the building is a total wreck and a total loss. Also, the building known as Jamieson’s barber shop, upon which there was no insurance. Loss about $200.
JAMIESONS
lost most of their household furniture, probably about $100 worth. No insurance.
MRS. GIBSON
Lost full $250 by the removal of her household goods and grocery stock, nearly all of which were more or less damaged, broken up or mixed together. No insurance. Among other things she lost $10 worth of cigars.
MRS. LAMBERT
Dressmaker, occupying the upstairs of the building, went to Mrs. Gibson’s; she allowed her things to be moved on the street, sustaining some little loss.
JOHN APPLEYARD
Who keeps the shop next to Mrs. Gibson’s; also forbid his goods removed, and thus saved himself from material loss.
THE LOSSES
The losses may be recapitulated as follows:
White Bros. 2250
Brown Bros. 3000
L & M.T.J. Brown 3000
Mrs. Forrester 200
A. Jamieson 300
Mrs. Gibson 250
Total 9300
SCENES AND INCIDENTS
In Orient Hall the assembly were holding a social party and enjoying themselves hugely. The “lancers” had just placed on the floor, the orchestra had given an introductory bar, all were ready for their best bow when–“Fire” Tableau for an instant with a flash of red fire from the street, the lancers charged into a gallop and in a few seconds more could be see stand-ups and white ties struggling along with a muddy buggy or a hot coal stove.
STARTING THE STEAMER
It took about a bunch of matches to light the fire in the engine. The matches were excited and would break in two and go out.
S.F HAMPTON
who had been acting as branchman, and working hard generally, fell in a fainting fit in front of the Mansion House. Medical assistance was called, but it was nearly an hour before he regained consciousness.
THE FIRE COMPANY
worked nobly and under adverse circumstances . The representatives of the Royal Canadian and Canadian Fire & Marine Companies who were in town on Monday adjusting the losses, give the fire department the highest praise, expressing surprise that the fire was stayed where it was, considering the proximity of the other buildings, the high wind prevailing at the time, and the absence of proper “hooks”. Many eager citizens, not firemen, exhorted themselves most credibly and effectively.
LATER
Since the above report was written, we learn that a representative of the Royal Ins. Co. has had the damage of the building appraised, damages being fixed at $1675 for which the company say the building will be repaired. We would assume that the parties interested will scarcely accept the offer. The building is not generally considered worth repairing.
Welland Tribune
8 November 1878
Fire: 1November 1878
THE FRAZER HOUSE-We learn that the proprietor of this building refuses to accept the insurance company’s offer of $1075 for damages done by the recent fire. A suit will probably ensue.
Welland Tribune
15 November 1878
In Dr. Smith’s Dental Laboratory,
Welland
About eight o’clock on Friday evening an explosion occurred in the dental office of Dr. W.C. Smith, West Main street, Welland, during his temporary absence. The explosion was followed by fire and Mrs. Charles Seeger, who resides in the same building, gave the alarm. The fire bell rang out. Harry Moore hustled for the fire extinguisher, and hose carts Nos. 2 and 3 were quickly upon the scene, but before any of them arrived, the fire had been put out.
The blaze was in the Doctor’s laboratory, and Charles Hagar, a member of the Welland Fire Co., and another, broke in the window glass and extinguished the flames with a lawn hose.
The fire was confined to the laboratory, and the damage to the building was very slight, the burning of a few shelves being about its extent. The damage to Dr. Smith’s stock was quite considerable, probably $200, his dental supplies on four shelves being entirely destroyed. This was insured.
The fire would seem to have been caused by escaping gas. A vulcanizer was in operation in the laboratory. To vulcanize or harden rubber, heat is necessary and in this case it was supplied by a small gas jet underneath the vulcanizer. A time regulator is part of the apparatus, and shuts off the gas when the time necessary for vulcanization has expired, viz: two hours. A vulcanizer, therefore, would be left in operation like a tea kettle on the stove, only instead of boiling indefinitely; it would shut off automatically at the proper time. The explosion must have occurred just before the time arrived, for when the fire had been put out, Dr. Smith found that the regulator had already shut off the gas, and that the rubber plate had been hardened sufficiently, and neither it nor the apparatus was damaged in the least. Not even was a clock quite close to it knocked off its little shelf.
By touching a match around the fixtures an escape of gas can be readily detected and as the laboratory is small and close, the theory is that the escaping gas when it gathered in sufficient quantities was set on fire by the flame underneath the vulcanizer.
People’s Press
1 September 1900
Fire: 31 August 1900
Fire started in the attic of a double house on Regent street owned by O.H. Garner and occupied by Mrs. Zimmer and Mr. Briggs. The blaze started over the apartments of Mrs. Zimmer and was first noticed by neighbors. An alarm was turned in, to which the firemen responded. A bucket brigade had about drowned out the blaze when the firemen arrived and only the chemical was used. No one had been in the attic and the only explanation of the fire is spontaneous combustion. The loss in wearing apparel was about $150 and the damage to the house was in the neighborhood of $25.00.
Welland Tribune
23 October 1913
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