Results for ‘Fires’
[People's Press, 23 December 1902]
About 9 o’clock yesterday morning fire broke out in the house occupied by John McNally, on Dennistoun street, in the third ward, near the fair grounds.
Smoke had been noticed for some time before but no further notice was taken, as the occupants were thought to be at home at this time. It seems that a large wood fire had been left burning in the stove in the board kitchen and all were away from the house. Hence the fire. Hose carts Nos. 3 and 4 answered to the call, but owing to the bad condition of the roads, and the long distance to be traversed, considerable time elapsed before connection was made to the hydrant at the corner of Jane and Dennistoun streets. After the 500 feet of one hose cart had been laid, there was still about 100 feet of ground to be covered which was made up from the other cart.
By this time the fire had got quite a start, and was fast making headway. The firemen worked hard but their task was difficult. At last they succeeded in chopping holes in the main road, and a stream of water was soon pouring through. The fire was then checked, and soon extinguished.
All Mr. McNally’s kitchen articles and furniture were destroyed, but most of the stuff upstairs and in the main part of the house was saved, but damaged. Mr. McNally’s loss is estimated at $200; no insurance.
The building might as well have burned down as it was practically destroyed. Brown Bros. of town owned the building estimated at between $500 and $600. Insured in the Liverpool, London and Globe Co. for $300.
Fire: 22 December1902
Overheated Bearing Caused About $150,000 Damage Friday
FIREMEN WORK WELL
Are Complimented on Efficiency-Business as Usual Now
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 25 July 1922]
CLOSE UP
This picture taken for The Tribune and Telegraph shows a close up of the fire at Maple Leaf Mill on Friday. The camera man snapped it shortly after the alarm was sent in, just after the firemen had their first line laid and the water turned on.
A fire that will rank among the big three in the history of Welland broke out in the Riverside Mills of the Maple Leaf Milling Co., at eleven o’clock Friday morning, causing damage estimated by Robert Cooper, M.P.P., the local director of the company at $150,000.
An aid member of the Fire Department states that the only previous fires in the city approaching it in magnitude were those in Orient Hall (The Griffin Theatre Building) and the County Court House.
It was after three o’clock in the afternoon before the firemen left the scene after four hours of about as strenuous work as has ever fallen to the lot of the Welland Fire Department.
Robert Cooper is authority for the statement that the good work of the city brigade, coupled with the able assistance of the firemen of the Empire Cotton Mills and the Crowland Department, saved the city from a conflagration that might well have vexed the Riverside Mills and swept over a large area of adjoining property. He stated that a mill fire of this nature is among the hardest to combat, and his words of praise were evidently intended to convey no small meed of appreciation to the three bodies of firemen who did their duty and did it well.
As a result of their efforts, the fire was confined to the mill whose walls stand intact. The large loss lies in the mill machinery and the damage to the raw material and finished products and the mill interior.
The cause of the fire was an overheated journal or bearing. Rumors current that the fire was due to spontaneous combustion was corrected by Mr. Cooper who stated that the mill had been thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom a day or so before the fire.
The insurance adjusters were in the city and placed the loss on the grain and flour. Damage to machinery has not yet been settled.
The efficiency of the organization of the mill stood the test, for yesterday farmers of the County were being looked after as if nothing had happened. All kinds of grain was being sold the same as ever with the exception of wheat. And it is expected that the choppers will be ready in a couple of weeks.
A meeting of the directors will be held shortly, when the question of rebuilding the mill will be decided one way or the other.
It is said an employee discovered flames on the purifying floor or second story of the mill in a pile of sacks, which he first endeavored to boar out. Failing in this, he brought the fire hose, with which the mill is equipped, to the spot and ran back to turn on the water. He then heard an explosion and by the time of his return was met with an outburst of flames which quickly drove him from the floor.
Heard Explosion
A. Kelly, whose blacksmith shop is located some rods to the east of the mill, says that while sitting in his shop he heard a noise followed by a jar which lead him to suppose that a heavy weight had landed on the roof of the building. He then saw people running down the alley leading to his shop, and going to the door, saw large volumes of smoke bursting from the windows of the mill on the east side.
He states that he heard a second explosion about four minutes after the first concussion.
His story is corroborated by that of A.J. Eiler, whose tailor shop is in the immediate vicinity. He also heard in the mill a sound which he described as resembling the bursting of an automobile later followed by a second noise resembling an explosion a few minutes later.
Traffic was reopened at 2.45, three hours and fifteen minutes after the sounding of the alarm.
| Here is a view of the Maple Leaf Mill fire, taken from East Main Street. The photo was taken very soon after the smoke was first seen and shows the start the blaze had on the firemen. Smoke poured from every window of the mill, compelling the fire companies to fight from the outside. Do you recognize the man in uniform to the right of the picture? |
Saw Fire First
Among the first to observe the outbreak of the fire was A.E. Douglass, whose store faces the lane leading to the mill, on the opposite side of Main street. His attention was attracted by an outpouring of smoke from the second story of the building on the west side. R.L. McGregor, of the Douglass store, at once rushed to Box 21 at the corner of South Main street, and turned in the alarm, while Mr. Douglass ran across the street to the mill, where he found the occupants of the office unaware of anything wrong. Employees of the mill followed with the alarm immediately upon Mr. Douglass’ entrance.
Within a few minutes of his arrival at the scene, and realizing the seriousness of the situation, Chief Stapf ordered word sent to Crowland Department to hold themselves in readiness as the chief had then issued orders bringing all the available hose of the city into use.
A request for all soon followed, but the Crowland Department were already on their way, Chief Jones having ascertained something of the extent of the blaze, and bringing the assistance of the Crowland brigade without waiting to be called upon.
The Empire Cotton Mills had their men on the spot about as soon as the city department. J.D. Payne and his men lost no time in getting there, and these two organizations rendered much valuable aid to the Welland department.
Robert Cooper was at his farm at the time of the outbreak, from whence he was summoned by telephone, and came into the city at once. From his knowledge of the layout of the mill, Mr. Cooper was enabled to offer some valuable suggestions to those fighting the flames.
Under the direction of Chief of Police Crabb, Main street was roped off from the Ross Company store to Cross street. Street car service was suspended in this area, and all automobile and other traffic diverted to the side streets.
The police force did good work in seeing that the work of the firemen was not hampered by the large crowd gathered to witness the spectacle.
The fire brought the services of the new La France pumper into play for the first time and the work done by the machine amply demonstrated the good judgment of the city council in making it part of the department equipment. The pumper was stationed on the bridge across the lane at the west and north end of the mill, drawing water from the canal adjoining, and a pressure adequate to the demands was maintained.
The pumper stood the test and proved to be a splendid investment for the city. One hundred and forty pounds pressure was maintained for two hours and a half without a break. Two streams delivered over 650 gallons a minute.
A total of twelve streams was played on the building by the firemen.
Three Hurt
Three members of the department maintained injuries in the course of the fight. Roy Strawn and James Vallencourt had their hands cut by breaking glass; and H.R.Waldon suffered an injury to his eye. Fortunately, all three cases were not serious.
A Number of Charges Against the Pastime of Shooting off Fireworks
[Welland Telegraph, 27 May 1910]
A large fireworks balloon set by Victoria Day celebraters on Tuesday evening set fire to Riverside Mills by alighting on the roof. The blaze was soon noticed and extinguished with the heavy mill hose. No damage of any account was done. Had the fire got much headway there may have been a different tale to tell, however.
Charles Stewart’s frame block on East Main Street was also set on fire by fireworks falling on the roof. It was also noticed and extinguished before any damage was done.
Several people were burned around the hands and face by over zealous celebraters but no one was seriously injured.
The dresses of two Welland women caught fire from fireworks as they were coming out of the Grand theatre, but the fire was soon extinguished.
The pop-corn vendor chased a young man who threw a giant cracker under his cart. He threatened to kill him and drew a knife to make good his threat, but he could not catch his tormentor.
An alderman told The Telegraph on Wednesday that he would introduce a bylaw to prohibit the sale or use of fireworks on the 24th.
[See related TALE: TO PROHIBIT FIRECRACKERS/An editorial by Louis Blake Duff]
[Welland Tribune, 12 September 1902]
During the severe thunder storm that struck this section about eight o’clock on Wednesday morning, the grain warehouse owned by Mr. R. Cooper, near the G.T.R. station, was struck by lightning and considerable damage done. The flash struck the ridge of the roof at the east end of the building, separated, making a large rip on each side of the building, then passed along the eave trough to the ground. Fortunately the building did not take fire and the roof is really heavily insured. The upper storey however was filled with grain.
A Hot Blaze Tuesday Morning That Brings Losses to Many Firms-
Most of Them Will Recover Damages
[Welland Telegraph, 12 September 1902]
The first fire accompanied by any serious loss which has visited Welland in some months, occurred early Tuesday morning when the Grand Trunk freight sheds were entirely destroyed. The fire was a hot one and exceedingly dangerous to surrounding property, but fortunately it was confined to the building in which it originated. The total loss will be about $1,000 and it was insured.
About 1.40 Tuesday morning Chief Forde, who was on the west side of the canal, noticed a light in the east end of the town. He watched it for a moment and concluded it was a fire. In a short time the alarm was awakening those who could hear it, and not long after the boys turned out and had two streams on the burning building. But it was impossible to save the shed or anything that was in it.
The fire started on the south end, presumably from a spark from a passing engine. By the time it was discovered the one end was enveloped, and before the water was turned on the whole structure was burning fiercely. Inside was a lot of inflammable articles, including a tank and several cans of oil. When the fire struck these the flames shot 50 or 60 feet in the air.
The wind was blowing a gale at the time and at first blew the flames onto several of the surrounding buildings and houses, but though they ignited in several places, the small flames were extinguished without difficulty. Later the wind shifted and that is probably what saved the station. The firemen were able to prevent the fire spreading to the cars on the siding and in an hour had it out.
The loss effects several of the merchants in town who had goods in the shed, but most of them will be able to recover damages. A few who had received notice of the arrival of goods more than 24 hours previous will have to stand the loss themselves.
The principal shipments were:-Frost Wire Fence Co., about $100 worth of fencing and gates; R. Morwood Co., about $50 worth of goods; The Ross Co., about $60 worth of dry goods; S.P. Gourley, St. Catharines, two bath tubs; Peat Fuel Co., 47 sacks of peat; J.B. Taylor & Co., several cases of glass ware; E. Brasford, a buggy; J.M. Livingstone, an organ. In addition to these there were a lot of smaller shipments, and a bicycle belonging to Agent Ouellette, another belonging to Mrs. Phin and a trunk of clothes belonging to Mr. A.T. Krafft.
On Tuesday Inspector Schneckenburger visited the scene of the fire and prepared his report.
A temporary shed will be put up immediately to shelter shipments while a new shed is being erected.
Heavy Losses-Narrow Escapes
[Welland Tribune, 24 October 1884]
The tradition that in Welland one fire is always closely followed by a second and perhaps a third is again proved good. On Monday morning between one and two o’clock, Mary Padgett, a girl employed at the Windsor House, was awakened by a noise on the window, which she at first thought was hail, but was not long in being rudely awakened to the fact that it was flames dashing against the glass, from the burning shed attached to the house. The wind was brisk, blowing the fire directly against the house, the window breaking in immediately. The girl ran, giving the alarm. The landlord’s family rooms were near by and the flames were also upon them at once, they barely escaping with their lives and without saving a particle of wearing apparel except what they had on. Mr. and Mrs. Tuckett and one child were singed in passing through the hall, which was swept by fiery current, but fortunately not seriously hurt. They at once found shelter with Mr. Coulson’s household in the court house, to whom they express their warmest thanks for kindnesses received. The wind being fair and fresh the fire swept through the house with a rush, Mr. and Mrs. Saxon and Rev. Ashley Johnson, though less hurried than the others, were forced to vacate and consider not upon the manner of their going. The fire department, though some trouble was experienced in giving the alarm, owing to the absence of a town hall, were quickly on the spot, and that they did efficient, aye noble service, the extinguishing of the fire leaving the building in its more than half burned condition and the saving of Mr. McCaw’s frame building, about three feet distant from the hotel, which was also a wooden building, is ample and undeniable evidence.
As no ashes had been left in the shed, where the fire apparently originated, and as coal was used for fuel in the house, it would seem most probable that the fire was of incendiary origin. A drunken man, who wandered into the hotel on Sunday evening and was ejected by Mr. Tuckett, was subsequently arrested on suspicion, but proved a satisfactory alibi. Mr. Tuckett, therefore, has suspicion of no one.
All that was saved of the furniture were the bar fixings and liquors and a few articles out of the dining room and front room. Mr. Tuckett had a very large lot of household effects and losses $3300 on which he has received an insurance of $1200 from the Citizens Co. The hotel building was owned by Brown Bros., who estimate their loss of $3000, on which they have $1700 insurance in the Lancashire and Royal, which was promptly allowed in full by the companies interested.
Mr. Tuckett not only loses his goods, but a fine hotel which he had built up by keeping a quiet and model hotel, which many friends and patrons greatly regret.
Wife of the Chief of Police Severely Burned
[Welland Telegraph, 18 March 1910]
As the result of a gas explosion, Mrs. H. Jones, wife of Chief of Police Jones, is suffering from severe burns of her hands and face.
The explosion took place on Tuesday evening and happened in this manner. Mrs. Jones, after preparing to spend the evening out, opened the oven door of a stove and was immediately blown to the floor by the force of the explosion. Her face and hands were severely burned and her hair singed. The lucky part is that her clothing escaped catching fire.
It seems that the oven burner had been left going after the fire was turned out. When the door was opened the escaping gas ignited on the main burner with the above result.
Garner’s Cooper Shop Burned
LOSS ABOUT $750
[Welland Tribune, 14 November 1902]
Welland, Nov. 12-O.H. Garner’s cooper shop out on North Main street was entirely destroyed by fire this morning. The fire started in the middle of the night, and owing to the open and inflammable nature of the building, its distance from the centre of the town and the high wind prevailing, both building and contents were practically all destroyed, the loss amounting to between $700 and $800, on which there was no insurance.
The third and fourth ward hose carts were on hand as early as could be expected under the circumstances, but could not avert the loss.
The fire is attributed to incendiarism, as Mr. Jackson, who lives near by and first saw the fire, declares that it was distant from the dryer, the only place in which fire had been kept on the premises.
Owing to the lateness of the season the business will not be started up again this fall, and the loss will be a material one to the town and fruit growers as well as to Mr. Garner.
COOPER WORKS BURNED
[Welland Telegraph, 14 November 1902]
A hot blaze and a mysterious one consumed O.H. Garner’s cooper works about three o’clock Wednesday morning. The building and contents were a total loss, and there is no insurance to cover it. The fire was seen by the Chief of Police, who was up East Main Street. He tried to turn in an alarm from the two boxes, Nos. 9 and 12, but was unable to make them work. He then used the hand rope in the town hall and succeeded in arousing the firemen. In the meantime, John Mcginnis, who lives on the north side of the burned building, discovered the fire, too. He got out and looked in the window, and saw that the fire was near the door, and not near the heater, which was the only natural source of a fire within. An alarm was sent in from the north side, but it too, failed. By the time the firemen arrived the building was gone, and a stream of water was turned on the ruins. At one time Mr. Mcginnis’ house and the house in front of the shop were both on fire, but were saved, although badly scorched. The total loss will be about $700, most of which was in material. A shipment of 150 barrels had just gone out the evening before. There were five coopers and three helpers employed in the shop, and they had a big lot of orders ahead of them. Mr. Garner says he will not start up the shop again this year, but will attempt to fill his orders from elsewhere. The origin of the fire was undoubtedly incendiary.
Much criticism has been made by the citizens about the fire alarm, which refused to work on Wednesday morning from several points, and the citizens feel that the system should be utterly discarded, rather than left in this unsatisfactory condition. On Wednesday and yesterday the superintendent of the waterworks investigated the trouble, and found that the alarm worked, but that the hammer would not strike the bell. He remedied that and the alarm in is now O.K. from all the boxes. Some people kicked because the tests were made without warning being given, but under the circumstances this time it was excusable, although the public should be warned under ordinary circumstances.
Barns and Bake Shop Destroyed By Flames
Firemen Do Good Work-Nearby Houses Were In Great Danger
[Welland Telegraph, 10 May 1910]
M.E. Schooley’s bake shop and barn, and Robt. Doan’s barn were burned to the ground early Monday morning. The entire loss is about $3500 and is only partly covered by insurance.
The origin of the fire is a complete mystery. The fire started in Mr. Schooley’s bake shop and spread to the other buildings mentioned as well as a kitchen on the house occupied by H. Fischer. Had the wind been blowing at the time the nearby house could not have been saved from destruction. As it was the firemen had a hard fight.
Mr. Schooley was the first to notice the fire. The bright light from the flames shining in his window aroused him. At that time the shop was already wrapped in flames. He telephoned an alarm to the Town Hall. The firemen arrived in about ten minutes after the alarm was given. The barn had also caught fire, but the horses and rigs which were in it were gotten out before the fire reached them, but only on the nick of time.
By the time the firemen arrived Robert Doan’s barn was burning as well as Mr. Schooley’s shop and barn, and the kitchen of Mr. Fischer’s house had also caught fire. Mr. Schooley’s house was also threatened by the flames, as well as two houses in the rear of the barn and on the next street. The firemen however managed to check the flames, but none of the buildings except the house of Mr. Fischer were saved. They managed to keep the fire from Mr. Schooley’s house, but at one time it was in great danger. Willing hands carried the furniture out of Mr. Fischer’s house.
It was about 3.30 when the fire was first noticed. At midnight the bakers, who had been preparing the bread for Monday, left the building. They saw that there was nothing left which might have caused the fire and can offer no explanation whatever.
The loss will be a heavy one on both Mr. Doan and Mr. Schooley, as the insurance will not nearly cover the loss. Mr. Doan’s loss will be about $1500, as there were a large number of stoves in his barn at the time, as well as cutters, buggies, harnesses etc. Mr. Schooley’s loss will be about $2000.
Arrangements have been made with G.T. Wright whereby he will supply Mr. Schooley’s customers until further arrangements can be made.
Wooden Bridge Ablaze From a Grass Fire Set Out by Boys
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 3 May 1923]
The fire-fighters were called to the Naval Brigade premises late yesterday afternoon to put out a blaze that would have spread but for quick action. Some of the Brigade boys cleaning up set fire to a pile of grass. The wind caught it and lifted it into the old raceway, which being saturated with oil, instantly blazed up. The wooden bridge, leading to the brigade headquarters, also caught fire but the firemen with the aid of chemicals extinguished the flames in a few minutes. Practically no damage was done.
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