The Newtown bee., 1892-12-30
NEW PRESTON.
A DISASTROUS FIRE.


 On Sunday morning about 9.l0 o'clock the alarm of fire was heard in the cen ter of this little village. Smoke was is- suing from nearly every possible part of the p0stOffice and harness shop of E. H |. Beardsley from basement to roof, three stories. Men, women and children rushed almost frantic to the scene and in less time than it takes to write it, one window and then another was broken in and pails by the score, filled from the dam close by the building, were dashed into the basement and floor above, where is located the shop room and office. The smoke was so dense and black, which is- sued from each window and door, that for 10 minutes it was very hard to locate the fire in the building. It was finally found by the chimney at the base and it took very few minutes after that 10 get control and eXtinguish all the flames. As near as can be aScertained the chim- ney had become quite foul and filled up with sOot, which during the strong wind of Saturday, probably caught fire and smoldered during the night, reaching that explosive stage on Sunday morning, when ib WAS ready to rattle out through any convenient crevce. The stovepipe hole in the basement was supposed to have been securely closed, but after the lIS IHc LItl pIotSGbOE was lOuhu OH floor and undoubtedly had fallen out. Although the hole then seemed full of soot, still sufficient fire must have fallen out on the floor and chestnut slabs and old shingles nearby to cause the damage done. IT the postoffice and other part of the building had been opened at the usu- al week day hour, much damage could have been averted. As it is, the frame in basement became much charred and the floor above burned and broken through in five places, the building is minus eight windows, two floors flooded with water and all the goods in the har- ness shop available moved out into the street and storm. Later, so far as could be, they were put into l.. u. Marcy's | barn nearby and piled up for safe keep ing till such time as the shop can be put into proper condition to receive them back again. This is being done, this | week, as fast as possible. Nothing that could be kept away from the pnstoffice was in it at the time of the fire and the | contents thereof were not much injured except by the dense smoke which filled the entire building, discoloring some- what postals, stamped envelopes, etc. | The building and contents were insured 1 in the Fitchburg 7 mutual company and the agent, Francis Rissell, of l Bantam, as soon as he was notified on Sunday, promptly responded in person and instituted proceedings at once, whereby satisfactory adjustment of all damage will undoubtedly be made to the owner. Mir Bissell has been for some time popular insurance agent and the promptness with which he responded tG the call here, this week, will not in the least lessen the regard and confidence felt here by severel toward him. Int fire might have resulted in great dea more damage, had It not been seen quit, as soon, or if in the nighttime, or by tn, least hesitancy on the part of all to rusf at once to the place and work as every one did, most zealously for the promp and certain control of the flames. Int owner of the building wishes il this way to thank all, old and young for their prompt alacrity and helpin. hands, at the risk of health and all els towards saving the building and all tha