Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-12-03
A HOT FIRE.
Two Buildings Partially Destroyed on
Bangor Street
Total Lsss Estimated at Five Thsusa.d
Dollars.

There was 9 serious conAagration on Ban.
gor street, east side, yesterday afternoon.
resulting in the almost entire destruction OF
4. w. Whitehouse's factory. besides serious.
iy damaging o. S. Smiley's broom handle
mandatory and the contents of both build
ings. The alarm was given at IL 80 O'Clock,
and the fire department responded promptly.
three streams falling upon the flames in less
tnan 10 minutes from its discovery. The
fire caught in the engine house at the rear
OF Whitehouse's factory. There was quite a
quantity of loose shavings and other material
lying about which torchei up with great
rapiditv, and almost in an instant the house
was in flames. From this it communicated to
the main building. the interior of which was
quickly filed with sufocating smoke and
IRE. A covered box like structure connected
this building with o. S. Smiley's broom
handle manufactorY. Through this the
flames ran into the latter building
and it looked at enc time as though
both the factories must 90. But the
firemen worked vigorously and placed
the water where it would be of the most
advantage. A few feet from the whitehouse
building, was the stable and residence of Z.
F. Coombs. This was in great danger, but
by keeping it well wet was preserved from
any serious injury. At one time movement
was made to remove the furniture from the
house, but it was not persisted in. 1t took
about half an hour to get the flames under
control, and required much of the afternoon for
the department to destroy every trace of the
fire. Mr.. Whitehouse's factory was complete.
ly gutted, the rear end being destroyed. His
loss on steam engine, machinery, and factory
is estimated at o., 500; insured for 81, 700.
The upper story was occupied by the Jones
Bros. as wood working shop and had
recently been fitted up by them. It contain
ed q palmer, saws, and other machinery
also quantity Of stock and tools. These
are almost totally destroyed Their loss will
probably reach $500; insured for $500. 0.
S. Smiley occupied the lower story, conduct
ing portion of his broom handle manufact-
uring business there. 10 the basement was a
grist mill. Cony & Robinson had some six
car loads of grain stored there, which will be
partial loss. Their insurance is 81 900.
Mr.. Smiley's broom-handle factory on the
south, although somewhat scorched was not
badly damaged. His loss on stock and
machinery will reach $500 Insured for
81 900.
| Exactly how the fire started cannot be as
certained, as the engine was left at noon with
out watchmsn, and it was in the engine room
that the fire originated. The flames were first
seen by Mr. Ethel Jones, who was conversing
with Mr.. Coombs in the upper story. The
flames aud smoke broke upon them so sud
denly that Mr.. Jones did not have time ever
to remove a chest of tools in the room. The
| loss is severe one I, the Messrs Jones, as
they have but just commenced business, and
were getting established. Mr.. Whitehouse
has not decided whether he will rebuild. Mr.
Smiley will probably continue manufacturing
broom, handles as soon as he can secure
power to operate his machinery.