The Portland daily press., 1895-12-17
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.l

the Losses and assurances.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREsS1
Lisbon Falls, December 16. "A great
fire started here at 11.3O, and the bust
ness portion of the village has beensprac-
| tically wiped out.
In few minutes after the fire started,
1t was evident that it would 60 beyond
the fire fighting capacity of the place.
The single engine was powerless against
such fire, and Lewiston was telephoned
for assistance. There were two Difficult.
ties In the way. Official permission had
to be obtaind before the engine and hose
company could be sent out of Lewiston,
and it took time to get the engine fred
up.
In the meantime the work Of destruc-
tion was going on, and although the oiti-
zens turned out in a body and fought the
fire, they could do but little.
1t was almost midnight before news
was received that help was on the way
from Lewiston.
By that time the Ginsburg block, with
large and valuable stock of goods had
burned. and then the Parkins block fol-
lowed. The latter block was crowded
with business firms including millinery
store, a jewelry store, and printing
office. The engine house is gone with
the rest.
At this present writing (midnight) the
larger portion of the business section of
the village has been destroyed.
The Odd Fellows hall was in the Park
man block, and the property of the local
lodges was swept away. A tailor shop in
the same building was destroyed with the
rest.
Beside the Ginsburg dry goods store in
the Ginsburg block, the variety store of
c. e. Bailey, the Butler candy store in
the same building were entirely de-
stroyed, practically nothing being saved.
The fire stated in the office of the Lis
bon Enterprise. and manager B. F. Thorn
lost his entire plant.
The residence of DIR. G. W. Curtis was
burned before the arrival of the engine
from Lewiston.
1t is impossible at this time to get
IN uch of an estimate regarding the loss
or the amount of insurance. There is the
| widest kind of confusion, and no man
ventures to more than hope that his pro-
perty will be spared.
In addition to his stock of dry goods,
Ginsburg had a large and valuable stock
of carpets and furniture.
At this time Q2.30) dozen buildings,
some of them the largest and most i'm
portant in the place have been swept
| away. 1t is thought that the insurance
may possibly reach so per cent of the
! loss
The local glodge of Odd Fellows had
q very nicely fitted up hall, and their loss
will be heavy, with but partial in
surance.
Two o'clock-Help from Lewiston
| reached here at L. III. Ih6 long delay
was largely due to the fact that the news
of the fire was sent to the Maine Central
office at Portland. from there orders
were wired to Lewiston, and some time
was lost in finding an engineer and fire.
man and in getting the engine ready to
take there fighters here.
Once on the ground the Lewiston men
went to work With will and have saved
the place.
The outlook at this time is encourag-
ing, and it is probable that the fire is
practically under control.
| The loss is estimated at from sis, 900 to
$40, 600 above the insurance. which may
reach $40, 600, but all this is only rough
estimates The fire may be held within
its present limits, the two big blocks, the
residence of DR.. Curtis, and the engine
house, but at the best it will be bad
| blow at the business of the place.