The Newtown bee., 1897-12-03

The hottest and brightest blaze that
has visited Newtown of late occurred at
Sandy Hook on Friday morning of
last week, when J. Fl. Costello's new
building, known as the Sandy Hook
Opera House, together with the large
barn and the adjoining house and barn
on the south, belonging to Mrs John
Clark, were burned to the.ground. The
origin of the fire is unknown but is sup
posed to have been caused by the ex-
plosion of kerosene oil stove. At least,
this is what Mr. Costello thinks. The
building burned was 36x80 feet not in
cluding the piazas, and was three stories
high. 1t was new building having
been erected only four years ago and
was built on magnificent scale as sort
of pleasure house, with saloon attach
ment, but was most too elaborate for a
village of the size of Sandy Hook. On
the ground floor was a barber shop,
saloon, large dining hall and the apart
ments of the proprietor. At the south
end of the building up stairs was the
opera house, of good size and modern
finish with expensive stage trappings,
while the north end was used as sleeping
apartments, and there were enough of
them so that Mr. Costello could keep
quite large company if he so desired.
The barn was also new, 52x38, with a
large shed attached, 20x36, and contain
ed II tons of hay beside grain and the
other necessary accessories. Mrs Clsrk's
house was two story structure and the
barn which was not large one stood in
the rear about 20 feet distant. The fire
started on the ground floor of the main
building at about 2 O'Clock, Friday
morning, and had gained considerable
headway before it was discovered by one
of Mr. Costello's men. The buildings
were all of southern pine and made a
brilliant and mighty blaze that was seen
for miles around, despite the fact that
Sandy Hook is in hollow among the
hills.
In the Street the reflections was bright
enough so that a newspaper could be
read and at the depot the flames could be
seen leaping above the hill top and must
have shot up some 100 feet or more, into
the air. A gentle south breeze fortunate
ly sent the sparks toward the hill and
away from the village. The whistle was
blown and the bell rung as is usual at
the time of fire but despite all the din
many people did not know that anything
unusual had happened till the next morn
ing. The discovery was made too late
for anything to be saved from the build
ing, but before the barn was reached the
uUEsGSs HdIucSstS dDO
moved to place of safety by the men
who had awakened and responded to the
fire call. Had there been more help
probably Mrs Clark's house and barn
would have been saved. By dint of
hard work, Mrs McGran's house, which
stands next south was saved by placing
blankets on the roof and side toward the
flames. By morning only the cellar
walls and smoking ashes told Of the
terrible confagration. Mr. Costello
carried insurance of about $15,250 on
his property in the agencies of Hobart H
Curtis, W. A. Leonard and Frank Wright,
but says this will not nearly cover his
loss.
Mrs John Clark's house was insured
for $1100 with Mr. Leonard's agency,
but there was no insurance on the barn.
This barn was occupied and used by DR.
Gordon for his team and his man only ar
rived in time to save the horse and
wagon. His loss will be about $50 on
hay, grain and small articles burned.
Mrs Clark lived up stairs in her house
and lost all of the furniture. The lower
part of the house was occupied by John
r. LYNCH and he succeeded in saving
most of his household effects.
1t was a terribly hot fire and the in
surance companies must be wondering
what will come next from Newtown.