Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-05-10
STREET SWEPT CLEAN
S500,000 Fire at Nor
IWay, Maine.
THA MAIN STREET IN ASHES,
Possibility That Some Human Lives
May Have Been Sacrificed.

NORWAY, Me-, May 10-The town OF
Norway WAS nearly wiped out by great
confagration.
The fire spread through the village to q
settlement at the east, known as Steep
Falls. Two firemen and clergyman
were injured.
FIRE broke out yesterday afternoon In
Cummings' furniture factory across the
river from the village. and before 1t could
be subdued had jumped the stream, set
fire to the opera house and communi-
Gated to neig h boring buildings. Norway's
only method OF fighting flames was with
hand engine, and this had no effect on
the fire
IL was soon seen that the whole town
was threatened, and aid was summoned
from Lewiston and Portla nd. II was an
hour before the engines fro IN these cities
could reach Norway, and by that time
all the buildings on Main street had been
burned to the ground. Merchants on the
street made frantic efforts to save their
stock, and in many cases were successful,
but the flames spread so rapidly that 10
was impossible TO save much.
Wind swept the flames directly down
che principal street, and sparks from the
burning buildings set fire to many houses
remote from the heart of the fire. Sew
enty-two dwelling houses, including the
homes.of all the prominent merchants
and professional men, were burned, and
hundreds Of people were forced to fee
from houses, leaving everything to the
mercy of the fire.
Many people were badly injured by fall
ing tim bers, and several are supposed TO
have met death. 1t is impossible to give
any idea of the horror of the scene or to
estimate the losses. The principal places
OF business were destroyed.
Many Firms Suffer.
The following stores were burned, In
addition to 70 dwelling houses; Cum
mings' furniture factory; Hamlin g. Bick-
nell, groceries; H. B. Foster, clothing;
Norway National bank and Savings bank,
the Oxford company's shoe store; Mrs. b.
w. Hill, milliner and fancy goods; b. w.
Hill, jeweler; Thompson's barber shop,
A. j. Hanson's store, the Norway laun-
dry; Merridge, dry goods; Miss Libby.
millinery; G. f. Tucker, harnesses; Gull
ford 81 Co., groceries; Dingley's bakery,
the Congregationalist church, the Nor
way academy, Wallace's tannery; Wslch,
dry goods; Hsmlin g. Bicknell, clothing;
Is. b. Farnsworth 81 Co., boots and shoes;
the Western Union telegraph and tele-
phone exchange. the postoffice. Several
lawyers, doctors and dentists offices
were destroyed, with their contents
The Beal hotel was saved by a miracle,
but the rest of the street Is entirely swept
away. AS soon as the engines from Port
land and Lewiston arrived they were put
TO work to save such buildings as had not
been burned, and four hours after 1t
started IL was under control.
The Norway militia company are under
arms, patrolling the streets and guarding
such property as has been saved. Home
less people are seeking shelter In houses
that escaped the flames.
Physicians report many cases of injury,
but no dead bodies have been found as
yet, although several people are reported
missing.
ii. NJ. Fonce, a prominent merchant.
says that the loss will amount to at least
$500, 900. The insurance cannot be learned.
At midnight mothers were huntin for
children and children for mothers, while
a relief committee hastily organized by
citizens was aiding the authorities In pro-
vidinR quarters for the homeless and car
ing for the injured. Several cases Of at
tempted robbery have been reported.