The Portland daily press., 1894-03-03
A YEARS FIRES.
More Destruction Than Usual i'll Port
land Last Year.

Chief Ball Makes His Annual Report
The Atkinson Fire Causes the Excess of
Destruction-The Record of the Year
Better Than That of the Previous One
When Loss Over Insurance Is Con-
sidered
Chief Eng: ne,r Richard H. Ball of the
Portland Fire Department, has sub
mitted his annual report of the work IN
his department during the municipal
year just closing
There have been during the year 135
alarms of fire, Ga being bell alarms aud
Il still. This is AZ alarms more than
last year. The chemical engine and the
small pony chemical tanks kept on the
hose carriages have put out so per cent
Of the fires. Chief Ball recommends
that an additional chemical engine be
purch ased and located in the western
part of the city.
The largest fire of the year was that IN
the Atkinson store. 1t was, in fact, the
largest in mercantile establishment for
many years
The total fire loss in the city for the
year amounts to $40, SOL. 81, OF whlch
$40, ole. SO has been on buildings anu
s7u. 519. 3s ON contents. The insurance on
buildings amounted to S257, 10, and
on the contents $204, 600; thus leaving
the insurance over loss $351, 479.79.
The fire destruction of this year has
~ Gro n
which the loss was $77, ,259, and the j w.
Perkins Co. fire, 10 point much larger
than last year; but the proportion be-
tween losses and insurance shows that
the fire department has been very sue
cessful this year in keeping the loss un-
der the insurance. The figures for last
year are as follows, the loss being over
insurance Total loss by fires for the
year, $33.626; Insurance paid, Ss9,olo.5o;
loss on builings. SIS, ss6. so; loss on per-
sonal property, S14, 40; insurance paid
on.buiIdings, ST, ,910 so; insurance paid
on personal property, LOO; loss over
insurance, $4,616.
All the apparatus of the department is
in good order except engine No.2, which
needs new set of smoke tubes. Chlet
Ball urges that larger fire boat pump
be procured for. the protection of the
water 'front.'
The department has twenty-five horses.
The Taper line needs repairing; and
Chief Ball recommends increasing the
mum ber of keyless boxes. They make
loud noise when pulled, and this deters
malicious persons from pulling when
there are no fires. 1t is recommended
that box be placed at the office of the
Boston boat.
1t is recommended that the engine
houses be placed under charge OF the
committee on fire department instead of
under the committee on public buildings
as at present. This would ensure more
prompt attention to needs of the service.
The department has 5000 feet of hose,
of which 10000 feet is in good shape.
The force of the department consists of
161 men. One driver has been added
during the year. One accident has oc-
CURED, Joseph j. Keith having been
thrown from an engine, December "a. He
suffered broken ankle.
Harmony has existed in the depart
ment during the year. In conclusion
Chief Ball extends thanks to his asso-
ciases and to the mayor and city govern
ment for their cooperation.
The expenses of the department for the
eleven months of Chief Balls term have
been s16. .013. 49, The appropriation was
$40, 600; and this saving has allowed
$500 to be transferred to public build
ings. The department. has done its own
work on hydrants. The appropriation
for this work was $4,000. The expenses
of the department. the previous year were
SIC, 1850. 30.