The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-29
BLAZE AT THE PARK.
About $1,000 Worth OF Property
Destroyed Yesterday.
Fire Supposed 10 Have Been Started BY a
Careless Smoker.

Jncfe was lively Dlaze dJ Narraghn-
sett Park yesterday afternoon and but
for the persistent and well directed efforts
of a bucket brigade, considerable more
damage would have resulted. The fire
destroyed about $1,000 worth OF property
and before IL was subdued the westerly
fence north of the main entrance, and
close to where the railroad formerly en-
tered the premises, was badly burned,
together with the blacksmith shop, two
story barn, two buildings used for storage
purposes, about 300 feet OF cattle sheds
built against the fence and other material
OF lesser value including about oOO feet OF
fence. Tho work of the fire fighters was
directed with considerable intelligence by
superintendent Joseph Gray of the State
Fair Association assisted by Solomon
Bennett, horseman, who has lot OF
horses located on the grounds. Their
work and the willing hands OF persons
living In the vicinity prevented, what
might have been a serious loss The Ere
was travelling toward the big grand stand
when its course was checked.
IL Is presumed that the fire was started
by tho carelessness OF smoker who
threw "A burning match on the ground
after lighting his pipe. This was on the
outside OF the grounds, The hre was dls-
covered by n woman who lives III house
close to the park and she states that lshe
saw man light his pipe and throw the
match away few moments before the
fire started. This was about 3:45 o'clock.
IL was o'clock before the fire was sub.
dued. The persistence of the blaze was
due to the dry and inflammable condi-
tion OF all the material. The wood was
old and well seasoned and burned readily,
and the contents of the buildings were
food ready made for the fire. A large
crowd was attracted To the scene and
everybody was ready TO lend helping
katx lxr oil e...
surrounding property and they fell con-
tinually upon one of the large stables, but
the stubborn fight of the men prevented
the destruction of this building. The
bucket brigade was stretched up To this
roof and water was kept continuallyssflow-
ing Solomon Bennett worked like n
Trojan, and would not be forced back by
the flames. AS the water was brought
up TO him he threw it right into the teeth
of the fire and his energy and well
directed work prevented the destruction
of the sheep pens.
When thesalarm was glvens the ..Arling-
ton hose company the knightsville COM
pany and the company, known rs the Bull
Turner's hurrieds To the scene. The fire
companies made connection with the
water plugs in the park, but found that
the water was shut OIL There are four
hydrants and six large water tanks in the
Park, but the water was off and no one
provision for fire was of no service. The
next best step was for the firemen to
connect the plug at the corner of Cranston
street and Narragansett avenue. a distance
OF quarter of "a mile from the fire. This
long space was covered with all the hose
from the three fire companies and when
the water was turned on there was n
controversy as to which company should
have the distinction of holding the "noz-
zle. " 1t was finally settled and the
knightsville company had the post of
honor without bloodshed.
While this little bit of tiremen's etiquette
was being settled large number of men
had the good sense TO pull down the purn-
ing fence and thus destroy material for
the burning at both ends of the blaze.
The firemen did good service in the bucket
brigade as they knew the Importance of
water in such an emergency. They were
not idle while the fine points OF the rights
of firemen were being discussed by their
superiors and their effects To subdue the
common foe were commendable. The
buckets of water were carried about n
hundred yards This was the most avail
able water to protect this great amount
of property. The men who couldn't wait
for the arrival of water did good work by
tramping out the sparks and smothering
the fire. Men with axes, hooks and mis-
ccllaneous appliances made their way TO
the edge of the fire and pulled the burning
material to the ground. All this work
contributed to the oxtinguishment of the
fire and the danger was all over in less
than two hours. Every vestige of the fire
was out at z O'Clock when the Knights
Vile company left the scene
One of the buildings which was badly
damaged is known as the Myrtle Peck"
stable for that famous rider always kept
her horses there while she was at the
park.
The premises have been the quiet home
of cat and the animal would not leave
the premises during the fire until the
blaze scorched its fur. The building was
in ruins before stabby would desert her
home.