The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-12
Fire from Lightning at Castleton.

AT about the hour of eleven o'clock on
the night of the 9th inst, the people of
Castleton were terribly startled by the
stentorian voice of b. w. Burt, esq.,, In
our streets, whose practice as double bass
singer in the Congregational choir of this
place for some 81 years has given him an
almost superhuman power of lungs, and
when he cried Fire Are FIRE !" in tones
not inferior to Bill Alien Of Ohio, and only
trife less in power to the celebrated fog
horn, "Sren, nov at the centennial in Phil
adelphia, which is said to have twenty
mile compass. Both man and beast, amid
the storm. lightnng-hash and thunder
crash, and Burt's echoing and re-echoing
voice from hill and mountain top, were so
terrified that of the brute creation none
dare try to escape for fear Of being caught
by some terrible monster which seemed to
be advancing in great speed from from all
directions, but awaited daylight to CON-
comprehend their danger and then flee
AS soon as our people were sufficiently
awake and get some light on the subject,
they took in the situation of things and
there was hurrying to and fro in hot haste
to be at the confsgration to take hand in
fighting the fire fiend at the earliest mo-
ment. The Cistleton fire engine company,
Castlcton hose company, and citiztns,
were on hand at once, and ascertained that
the fire was vigorously burning the roof and
garrett of the dwelling house of Mr.. b. w.
Burt, but there was thunder shower in
progress which greatly lessened the pro-
gress of the flames. After a conflict with
the fire for something like half an hour the
fire was extinguiahcd. But it offered some
splendid practice for the fire department
in climbing, throwing water, and not doing
any unnecessary damage to the house or
furniture. But 1t was 4 case which re-
CURED prompt action from first to last.
This being centennial year the revolution
ary precedent of the pillow being left in the
furrow, was fresh in Mr.. Burt's mind, so
when he went out to summon his neigh
bors to assist him in repelling the foe which
was destroying his "castle" be left his
neither garments hanging on the back of a
chair, Notwithstanding the flashing light
ming and lanterns dimlv burning would in
all probability disclose the fact that he
was not dressed for company
His main excuse is that his house was on
fire, and he could not wait to dress until
he had first summoned our fire brigade and
invited the people TO his house, and that if
he had first dressed himself before he invi.
ted the people to his house, he would then
not have had any house 10 receive them in,
and that necessity knows no law" not
even the laws Of the state of Vermont.
Mr.. Burt would make sple ndid town
crier if he did not scare people so.
The fire undoubtedly resulted from light
ming. 1t was first discovered by MIR. Burt,
by hearing cracking sound made by the
fire, and he looked for fire IN the house and
after search for it he saw the reflection OF
it when looking out the window as it burst
through the roof. House and furniture
insured in the Vermont Mutual for $ll00,
loss, say $500. The rain was greatly need
ed, and our people did not mind the storm
and worked like beavers. MIR. Burts house
had lightning rod on 1t, but is thought to
be defective. AS lightning is said not to
strike twice in the same place. Mr.. Burt
thinks helshall not be hit again by light
ming.
Castleton, June 10, 1876. C.