Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-04-23
FIRE INQUEST
AT Watervi|Ie, Monday, to De-
termine the Cause
OF the Blaze In RunneII's Grocery
Store, Last Sunday Night.
Testimony by Several witnesses-Inquest
Adjourned Till Mex. Monday.

waterville, April 22.-(Special).-A
inquest for the purpose Of deciding the
origin of the fire in Runnell's store, Satur-
duy night, was commenced in the city
council rooms, at 2 O'Clock, Monday af-
ternoon, in charge of Deputy Sheriff A.
L. McFadden.
The Jury impannelled consisted OF ii.
W. Stewart, H. 6. Foster and Daniel
Libby. Seven witnesses We're called and
sworn and the substance Of their evidence
was as follows:
Chief Engineer Plaisted testified: Alarm
was sounded about 1915 =. M. Witness
arrived at the scene about three minutes
later. Helped couple hose to bydrant at
Bucks corner. Went directly to rear door
and then the whole interior of the store
room seemed all ablaZe. Could not de-
termine what part Of room fire started.
0W. Fl. Marston testified: Was in office
of CITY hotel; went to stable to assist In
getting up horse which was cast. Com
ing out of stable saw smoke coming from
rear Of buildings. thought at first the
hotel was on fire. Broke window into
store room and with Mr. Hall, threw
several pals Of water on fire. Went to
Common street entrance. broke open door.
Am sure door between store and storeroom
was closed, for went to open IL and flames
burst out Couldn't tell what part OF
storeroom fire started in, was all through
it when witness went inside.
A. w. Hall testified: Was with Mr.
Marston and helped smash window into
akA fVhrayu in mr. Dn n.i1G Df
water. Was working there when hosemen
arrived and helped handle hose. Think
fire started on side Of room next the win
dow.
w. S. 3. Runnells testified: Am senior
member of firm. Room where fire started
was used as storeroom, and to try out
lard. There was an oil tank in the room.
Was In the store in the forenoon and again
about Gao or =. M. In the evening only
went in to get cigar and stayed only a
moment. Witness didn't remember
whether he lighted cigar in tho store or
after he came out on the sidewalk. Did
not go to rear of store and did not smell
smoke. Had an insurance Of $4,000 on
stock and fixtures. Was $4,000 insurance
when witness bought the stock. but when
those policies ran out took $1,000 less.
Witness couldn't determine from the pre-
sent appearance what part of room fire
started. Had not been q fire in the room
for several days. Was q waste barrel be-
tween oil tank and outside door where
waste paper, lamp cloths and other waste
was thrown.
Geo. w. Runnells testified: Am Junior
member of firm. Was in the store about
noon, Sunday. Stayed only long enough
to get some cigars Was asleep when
alarm rung in. Was awakened and told
that the store was on fire. and went and
called father. Was not any fire In stove in
storeroom, Saturday. Witness had not
been in tho room since the fire. but had
looked in the window. Witness thought
here was between $4,000 and $3j00 worth
Of goods in stock.
Henry Dickey driver Of City hotel hack,
testified: Saw smoke when was unhar
Messing my horses on return from Pull
man. Dense smoke coming out from be-
tween tho building. Smoke smelled very
strong of kerosene. Went to train about
$50. Saw no one around the premises at
that time. Did not smell any smoke at
that time.
c.. c. Dow, first pipeman of Hose No. 2,
gave testimony in regard to putting
stream Of water in at the Main street en-
trance.
At this point the hearing was ad
journed to next Monday at 2 p M.
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