Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-26
THE BELFAST ERE.

The fire at Belfast is heavy calamity
to that city. A large part of the business
of the place, which afforded employment
and the means of living to the great bulk
of the lsboring population has been swept
away. Main street with its stores is most
ly saved, and the quarter in which were
the best residences escaped destruction,
but the shipyards, wharves. warehouses.
shops. and many of the houses occupied
by the middling and poorer classes are in
ashes. tits probable that the property
burnt was well insured, as the frequent
fires which have occurred over the country
recently and the bitter experience of 1865
in the same locality, would tend to make
property holders cautious and lead them
to insure pretty roundly. We hope this is
the case at any rate. If it be so the bust
ness men will soon be on their feet again,
repairing their loss, and perhaps from the
RUNS building better than before. But
make the best OF il it is heavy blow to
our fair sister city. The insurance CON-
pared with the actual loss will be small. 1t
will aid in bridging over the disaster, but
the recovery OF the city will take courage
time and labor. We have no doubt that
1t VIII bring out energies which have been
lying dormant, and that what can be done
in public and private way to aid the I'M
fortunate, and build up business and homes
will be promptly done. Belfast has many
wealthy citizens. and does not lack the
spirit necessary for the emergency. First
the needy and suffering must be taken
care OF, then in the work of recuperation
every citizen who has means at his dispos.
al should employ his resources in that d..
rection as far as he can.
The extent of the calamity is such that
contributions from abroad will be neces-
sary. The houseless and hungry must be
provided for till they can take care of
themselves. We trust that aid will be
literally rendered. and that before the
irosts OF winter come good progress will
be made in replacing what has been des-
troyed.
In spite OF all that has been said about
guarding against fire we find that we are
continually in danger from its ravaoes
and that constant vigilance and admon;.
ton are necessary. Wooden cities as con.
structed are little better than finder boxes
Topreserve them the greatest care is need
ed. Broad streets. plenty Of water, q good
fire department are requisite, but these arc
rarely found Citizens are careless abou
the manner in which their houses ar,
warmed, and the authorities are neglectfnl
often failing to discharge the duties whicl
are incumbent upon them as guardians o
the public safety. The inevitable pipe ant
cigar scatter the seeds ofhundred of fires
The incendiary is tempted to make the APP
LEGATION ofthe torch in the hope of plumber
City after city burns and yet we go on il
The old way. Whose tnrn will come mex
no one can tell. Unless people are aroused
to more efficient measures to restrain fires
their number will increase. The author
tiles must be more yigilant, not only tax
ing care that the fire department and wa
ter supply are sufficient, but providing for
the personal inspection of buildings, and
preventing the erection of unsafe struc-
lures. Every private citizen is also bound
10 see that proper care is used about his
premises, and should also be provided
with means to extinguish fire, at an early
stage, when bucket of water judiciously
applied in season might save a house or
NAH cay "etrust the reminders which
are coming SO frequently of late of the
manner IN which our cities ale exposed to
the ravages Of the devouring element. win
prompt to greater care in the construction
Of buildings and more precaution in guard
ing them These warnings come to all.