The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-06
rsPECIAL 20 THE PREss.I

Bath, July 5.-The hottest fire which
Bath has seen since the big confiagration
four years ago, when the greater part of
the business portion of the city was de-
stroyed occurred here late this afternoon
A blaze was discovered in an old wood
shed at the rear of the Wesley Methodist
church about 4. 40 o'clock and an alarm
was INN mediately given which called the
department., but upon connecting the
hose with hydrant close by it was
found that there was no pressure ana
soon after it was learned that there was a
break in the water pipe which crosses the
Kennebec and which supplies the city
with water.
The steamers were on duty and arrived
on the scene promptly, but before they
got there the flames had set fire to the
church Gloss by as well as to the house of
Mrs. Isaac Crooker. Every thing was very
dry and the wind which was blowing
famed the flames and they were soon
dancing high up on the double tower bel
freys of old ''Welsey."
From them the sparks travelled and fell
upon nearly every roof for a quarter of a
mile both south and east. Fires caught in
every direction and hundreds of citizens
busted themselves in trying to subdue the
flames upon the roofs.
The blaze jumped across the street at
the residence of Charles 81. Mason and
quickly reduced it to ashes, then they
deyoured two houses in the rear owned
by MIR. Footer of Boston, one owned by
Iron works
The residence of Mrs. George NJ.
Shepard was next threatened but by hard
work on the part of the bucket brigade
the buildings were saved.
The mayor seeing that the local depart
ment couldn't handle the fire alone at
once telegraphed to Lewiston and Brrns-
wick for aid. The former responded with
a steamer and the latter with two hand
engines, which did great service.
Sparks fell thick and fast around the
Bath Iron Works and the company then
got out its hose. coupled it onto the big
pumps and proceeded to wet down the
yard and shops. Having completed this
task the men joined the other fire fighters
and preceded to do good execution in
holding the flames in check.
The roof of the church fell in with a
crash and few seconds later the resi-
dence of Frank Brown was mass of
roaring flames. The next house north
was that of Charles Maxwell which was
threatened, but by hard work it was
saved, although it caught several times
on the roof.
The east side of Washington street was
also to suffer and the flames made quick
work of two houses owned by Thomas
Passmore. From there it went to one
owned by William Cahill and then to
another owned by William Hodgkins.
Rapidly the flames worked toward Wat.
er street, and soon the bouses of Eugene
Foster, John Sonia. Cole Flaherty, W.
Oliver and half dozen others were all
ablaze. From these buildings sparks
few to the Houghton Bros office and to
the old store house owned by. the same
firm, and in which was the finish of the
schooner building by n. 7. Palmer.
By O'Clock the flames were under con-
troll and an hour later nothing but a
mass of smouldering ruinsIstood where.six
hours before were 27 dwellings, church,
a joiner shop, two stores, and an office.
The Hyde Light Guards were called out
to guard the furniture and property
saved.
The city is in darkness and the cleo
trio cars are tied up. At midnight cleo
tricians were at work trying to get tenn
porary service on.
The visiting tiremen were given COLA
tion at the Alameda and departed about
midnight.
The total loss will be about s1oo, 600.
and the losses SO far obtainable- are as
follows: