The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-09-20
KICKED LANTERN OVER.
Colt Causes Bad Hre in North Deer.
Ing.
A. M. CROOKS HOUSE AND STABLE
BURNED DOWN.

owner was Grooming His Horse in the
Stable when the Animal Kicked a Lam
tern Over Setting Hay on Fire-House
and Stable Destroyed Before Help
Could Arrive.
The alarm of fire at $50 last evening
called the Deering fire department. to a
lively bluze at North Dsering, on the
nrenises of Mr.. Alfred Nd. Crook. 554
Main street. Mr.. Crook is a hairdresser,
being the proprietor OF the shop at the
Preble house, Portland, and resides with
his family at Aliens corner, North Deer
ing.
Mr.. Crook was in the stable and had
his young colt out ON the main floor
clearing out its hoofs. preparatory to
Harvesting the animal for a carriage
drive. The colt had a sore hoof which
Mr. Crook cut into and startled the
colt, who kicked violently, knocking
Mr.. Crook over onto the floor.
The lantern which he was using was
setting on the floor and in his fall he
struck it, breaking it and causing the
light to ignite a quantity of hay on the
floor. Mr.. Crook went at once to the door
of the barn and gave the cry of fire. The
alarm was sounded from box 25, which
is a mile and half from the scene of the
fire.
MIR. L. J. Smith of hose heard the cry
and after their team had been hauled
&c hac nd +, +ba
nearest hydrant, which was over half
mile from the fire, the alarnlwas then
sounded. The department. made quick
run, especially the Woodfords companies,
which are located three miles away, they
making the distance in 16 minutes 1t
the burning buildings, which were
burning fercely before the hose could be
put in readiness for use. The fire spread
rapidly to the ell Of the house which adj
joins the stable and at once communi-
Gated to the house. The neighbors gath
cred promptly and with hard work
managed to save large amount of the
furniture. The winter clothing of the
family was packed away in chest in
the attic and could not be reached in
season to save it. Mr.. Crook managed
after much exertion to get the colt out
of the stable, but his carriage, double
and single sleigh and two valuable BIZ
cycles which were in the stable were
consumed. The stable was new build.
ing, having been erected about three
years ago. The house was also complete
" repaired and remodelled at that time.
Mr.. Crooks wife and son. with Mr.. Z.
E, Loveioy and wife and their immediate
neighbors, were in attendance at the
jefferson theatre last evening and knew
nothing of the fire until their return
home. The furniture that was saved has
been stored in Mr.. Loyejoy's stable, and
Mr.. Crooks family spent the night
there.
It was about year ago that the
Hutchings house, located just below the
Crook house, was almost completely de-
stroyed by fire.
Mr.. Crooks property is known as the
Amos Winslow place. The house and
buildings with furniture is valued at
about $4,000. Mr.. Crook was seen last
evening, but could not state definitely
about his insurance. but said that there
was about $4,000 to cover the loss, which
with the exception of the furniture is
total loss.
The all out signal was sounded at
10. 80 O'Clock. In the absence Of Chief
Engineer F. B. Moody, who was called
Yesterday afternoon to Boston on bust
ness, the department acted under the di-
1ection of Assistant Engineers Smith
and Wilson.