The Portland daily press., 1894-05-17
Burning Schooner a Highway for
Fire in PaWtucket.
THE RHODE ISLAND lCITY LOSES
HALF A MILLION.
Flames Broke Out Under Coal Shed and
Spread Through Coal and Lumber
Yards-A Blazing Schooner Swinging
Across the Stream, Set Fire to Build
Loss-Forest Fires Blazing.

LOSS-FOrest Fires Blazing.
Providence, r. l., May 16.-A column of
black smoke rising in the air attracted at
tention from all sections within radius of
ten miles of Pawtuoket this afternoon. In
that column OF smoke went up over half
million dollars worth of property. All the
large coal and lumber yards in Pawtucket
were practically swept away and property
on either side of the river from Division
street on the north to the works of the Paw
tucket Gas works on the west was destroyed
in few hours. There was time when it
seemed likely that the flames would spread
from the water front on either side to the
residence district. The Pawtucket fire de-
partment was inadequate. Fortunately the
danger was early appreciated and the city
officials were prompt in sending calls for
assistance to the fire departments of Cen
tral Falls and Providence. Prompt re-
sponses were given and companies of ex-
perienced men soon Joined the Pawtucket
department and completely surrounded the
burning district.
The fire originated in blacksmith shop
on the premises of the Newell Coal and
Lumber company on the west side of the
river, close to the Division sire ct bridge, at
about 230. This shop was situated under a
section of one of the large coal sheds. AL
most before the men at swork there could
comprehend the danger, the fire was burn
ing it's way up through the frame structure.
A strong northwest wind swept down the
valley and carried the sparks and burning
embers from building to building in the
Newell yard. The three masted schooner
L.F. Hopkins, laden with paving stone, was
moored at the dock on the water front of
the Newell yard. This vessel was soon en-
veloped in flame. Its hawsers were burned
away and the current swung the bow across
the stream, making bridge of fire to the
east side of the river, with the wind sweep
ing in that direction. The flames were thus
carried to the premise of the Pawtucket
city coal yard. In less than half an hour
the fire had worked southwark into the
premises of Olney and Payne Brothers,
dealers lin coal and builders materials on
the west side of the river. The Pawtucket
coal yard and the lumber yard of John T.
Cottren were also on fire. The boundary
line between the premises of Olney and
Payne Brothers and the gas plant formed
the ultimate southern limit of the fire dis
trict.
The Pawtucket Gas company's plant, from
which was furnished the power for the
street lighting and electric railway service,
had remarkably narrow escape. The wire
by which the power was conveyed, burned
away very early in the progress of the Fire
and street cars in all sections of Pawtucket
and.the Blackstone valley to the north and
also on the Pawtucket and Branch avenue
routes in this city were at a standstill until
connections were made with dynamos at
the electric light plant in this city.
The Bee line barges and the two masted
schooner Tampa were in wharfage at Olney
and Payne Brothers when the fire swept
through NeweI's yard. The barges were
cut loose and allowed to drift down stream
and escaped practically unharmed. The
Tampa was at the dock and before she
could be gotten away the flames attacked
the masts. In less than an half hour the
upper rigging was burned away. The
schooner was saved. 1t is estimated that
the total loss is about S436.O0O. On this the
probable insurance is S325, ,000.