Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-15
GREAT DISCOMFORT
Caused by the Burning Of Comforts
Saturday Morning.
Fire Ia The eaaastt Publlshlss Heuse Doe.
Much Damage.

alarm. which rung in several times,
but as it was different each time, the
greater part Of the people returned to
the comforts of their beds rather than
go. out and investigate the cause Of
the alarm, especially as 1T had sounded
several times, Friday, caused by the
crossing of the wires.
However in the Cushnoc hose house,
the indicator showed that there was
trouble at box 80, and Driver Nc
Causland was on Water street before
the alarm had stopped ringing. In the
Atlantic Hose Company's house, the
indicator located the disturbance at
box rs, so there was a general mix up.
They were not long. however, in locat-
ing tile fire in the publishing house Of
w. H. Gannett on Willow street, and
soon two lines of hose were laid from
the hydrant in front of the building
and one more from the hydrant in
front of City hall.
The fire was discovered by Watch
man William H. Tompkins, who,
smelling smoke began to investigate.
and found fire in heap of waste
the basement, just over the boiler
room. He tried to put the fire out
with water from the faucet in the
sink. and failing to do this, he rushed
to the nearest fire alarm box. No. IS.
at the corner of Cony and Willow
streets. at exactly AIS A. NJ
BY the time the hose companies hai
arrived the fire had gained quite n
little Roadway in the mailing room.
where there We're about 10000 copies Of
the various papers published by the
concern. The streams of water soon
stopped the fire in this departments.
but it was found that the wood work
had taken fire and had burned around
the chimney to the next floor. Owing
to the dense smoke no one could carry
b line OF hose into the building. AMI
they We're forced to fight the flames
through the windows from ladders.
and the bridges that lead from tn.
brick building. in which the fire was.
to the wooden structure.
Steadily the fire worked ap story by
story with the firemen fighting man
fully against it. Another difficulty
that they, experienced was the many
partitions in the building that pre-
vented their getting directly at the fire,
although perhaps these ,saTe par1i-
tions prevented the fire seraaAtng, anu
Kept it confined in the north end of the
building. away from the office part.
Three of the Atlantic hose men were
overcome by the smoke, and had to be
taken away. Joseph Kicker was over
come by the smoke. and made par
TALLY unconscious, when he was
rescued by First Assistant Engineer
Pedder, who was acting as chief, in
the absence of Chief Kicker.
At $40 a general alarm was rung in,
as it looked as though the fire was
becoming unmanagable. Twomore COM
panies arrived, and another line of hose
was laid from the hydrant at the corner
of Conyand Bowman streets. This line
was run in through the front door, and
did great work. The other streams
were soon enabled to be placed to
good advantage. and at 6.35 the "all
out" was sounded. although one COM
pany staid until after 8 O'Clock and
did good work.
The loss by fire was not SO large as
that by water and smoke, and the total
loss cannot be estimated at present,
but probably will not exceed $4,000, out
side the premium room. The loss is
covered by insurance. A greater part
of the November number of Comfort had
been mailed, and as the main press room
was not affected by the fire there will
be no great delay in getting out the
rest of the edition, work upon which
begins, today or Tuesday. The color
press was wet but not damaged beyond
spelling a set of rollers. None of the
books or any valuable documents were
in any way harmed.
Hardly had the fire been subdued
before crew were put. at work clear
ing UP the debris. and great progress
was made Saturday.
~ Coming. as it does at this holiday
season, it is an inconvenience to the
firm. but Mr. Gannett, with his capable
corps Of assistants, says that every
contract and order can be filled with
out much delay. .t.-r ..ess
1t was two years ago the 18th of last
September that the concern suffered 4
like loss to their plant. but they pulled
through it without causing much in
convenience to their patrons.
{vr