Connecticut western news., 1896-10-15
FIRE TENDS FROLIG.
Great Harrington Victim of Cruel Flames.

Four times within year has Great Burlington been baptized with fire The last baptism occurred last Monday evening. and it was the largest fire which has occurred in Berkshire Coun- ty in many years, Both sides of Rail- road street were wiped out except the corner buildings fronting on Main street. In all. thirty-three business places and tenements were destroyed. A conservative estimate places the loss at $500. 900 with insurance of S175. 900. A mamimum estimate is, loss $500, 900 or more, with insurance a trifis over half those figures.
 At 1915 p. m. fire was discovered be. tween an unoccupied tenement house and barn, two feet distant, directly east of and about 50 feet from the sta ton of the Consolidated road. It was difficult to tell whether the fire origina- ted in the tenement or in the barn as the outside of both buildings were a mass of flames. The alarm was quickly given and the fire department respond ed promptly but no power on earth could suppress the flames or confine them to the two buildings already men toned, for the wind was blowing gale and sent the flames directly into the livery stables of both the Kennedy House and the Miller House adjoining. The hay and straw in the stables added fury to the flames which in their mad frolic leaped simultaneously to the Kennedy House itself and to the wing CT kitchen of the Miller House. The row of wooden buildings on the north side of Railroad street fell an easy prey to the devouring element, and the scene resembled huge bonfire or rag ing furnace. The strong wind drove the flames across the street and soon the frame structures on the south side were sending up smoke and flames like burn ing tar barrels. It was a scene never to be forgotten and it struck terror to the stoutest hearts Meantime the barns in the rear of the dwelling houses on Cas- tie street took fire, and it seemed as if the whole central part of the village was doomed. Help had been summon ed from Stockbridge and Housatonic and the hose companies from those places arrived in time to render invalua- ble service. Although the men had made the run on foot from those places they promptly went to work and soon eight lines of hose were playing on the flames from different points, but not until o'clock on Tuesday morning were the flames gotten under control. Two dwelling houses on Castle street were destroyed and at one time the Town Hall caught fire but the small blaze there was quickly extinguished. Never did firemen and citizens work more heroically to save property. There were five critical points in the line oi battle but the firemen brsvely stood their ground and turned the tide ol flame, viz, at the rears of the Miller House, Robbins block. Benton's block. Burget < Lewis block, and the Moore house.
 Following is partial list of the places destroyed: Sanford block and Ramsey's saloon; T. J. Kennedy. hotel annex and stables; Robert Paul. livery stable; J. H. Maloney. furniture dealer E. D. Humphrey, harness maker; T. J 'Kearin. clothing dealer; Gill < Crorin grocers; Jacob Trumpfeller, barbel shop; J. W. Morgan, news dealer; E. H Dewey, meat market; H. l.. Wishplan harness dealer; George Harden, bar be shop; J. Crotty, saloon and restaurant Adams Express office; steam laundry o. B. Benedict, feed store; Mason restaurant; two tin shops and severa small stores oa Railroad street of whicl we cannot give names of proprietors Robbins block, corner of Railroad ant Main street, occupied by M. E. Tobey' jewelry store, c. B. Coleman's sho store, and by dentist office, was badl, wrecked and flooded with water, tn roof being destroyed. M. Feldblum' store on Castle street was badly damag ed and his stock of clothing nearl ruined by water.
 It is thought that the fire was of in cendiary origin.
 Many people from surrounding town
 visited the fire during its progress, an
 on the following day many more visite
 the ruins.
 The fire department was called ou
 twice Tuesday afternoon and evening t
 subdue flames which had broken ou afresh in the rear of the Miller Hous and at Morgan's block.
 The silvery lining to this cloud { , disaster is that larger and better buile [ ings, fire proof buildings, will eventua ly replace the ones that have just val ished in flames.