The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-31
ST. J0HNSBURY ABLAzE.
A Disastrous ConAagration Rages
Several Hours.
A GALE SWEEPS THE FLAMES
In all Directions and Helps In the Work
of Destruction-Fires In West Brook
field, Mass, Pittsburg, Exeter, N. H.,
and several Other Places

ST. JoHssBURY,Vt. Oct. 3.-The worst
fire that St. Johnsbury has ever known,
broke ont about seven o'clock last even
ing, and ragged fiercely for two hours be-
fore it was brought under control. In
that time several business blocks and q
large number OF stores were destroyed.
The flames first appeared In the rear OF
Lougee Bros. & Smythe's large dry goods
store on the east side OF Railroad street.
A gale was blowing from the northeast
and the fire swept on with restless force,
licking mp property TO the value OF at
least $4,000. The local fire department
responded quickly, and did splendid
work. but the high wind and oil that
was stored in the burning buildings did
much to assist the progress OF the
flames.
1t was not until nine o'clock that the
flames were really under control. The
list OF the business establishments
burned on Railroad street is as follows:
Lougee Bros. & Smythe's store, which
contained a large and valuabls stock OF
dry goods; Balch's Photographic studio
on the top story OF the same building;
William Daniels meat market, on whicn
there was small Insurance.; the Mer-
chants National Bank; Il. {. Spencer's
jewelry store, with valuable stock;
BGgley's drug store; Gilmore's boot and
shoe store; Roderer's cigar store; Syl-
westerns meat market; Lynch's restaur-
ant. The five last named stores were To-
Gated in Wards block, four-story brick
structure, three stories OF which we're
occupied as tenements.
Twelve or fifteen families were burned
out in that block alone. There were sew
eral narrow escapes from death, put SO
far as now known, no lives were lost.
Directly back OF Wards block was the
extensive establishment of Griswold,
Pearl & Co., wholesale dealers in -four,
grain and oil. This building took fire
early and was wholly destroyed, togeth-
er with a large stock. The villages OF
Lyndonville, Barnet and McIndoes were
telegraphed to for help. Lyndonvils
sent an engine and some men, but help
from the Others, though in readiness TO
come, was not needed.
At one time, just previous to the fall
ing OF the walls of Wards Block, the
Avenue House, large wooden hotel, and
several manufacturing establish shments in
the vicinity OF the depot were in immi-
nent danger OF destruction, fire brands
falling in showers onto their roofs, but
by hard work they were saved. The rail-
road company was obliged to Gear the
yard of number OF freight cars that
stood in close prox nifty to the fire.
The origin OF the fire IS not definitely
known, but it is thought to have starved
abeut the beiier in the basement OF Lou
gee Bros. a. Smythe's store. 1t Is i'm
possible, as yet, to give detailed figures
as to losses. On tho buildings the loss is
total, nothing remaining but heap oi
smoking ruins. Besides the establish
ments mentioned above, Il. T.. SARGENT
insurance office, NJ Montgomery's law office
and a mum ber OF dwellings in the rear o
the brick block, were cleaned out. Mos
! OF the business blocks burned were o
substantial structure, but in the rea
were lot of old buildings which hac
been looked upon sometime as veritabl'
| tinder boxes.
Wards Block. which was crowded with
tenants, was fire trap, and it Is remark
| able that all the tenants got out alive
! IL is thought certain that a man ant
woman occupying rooms in the buildins I
where the fire started, were burned tC
death. The other occupants had to fly
for their lives. The total loss will fully
reach and may exceed s150,0Oo Griswold
Pearl Il Co., and Lougee Bros. q
Smythe will be heavy losers.