The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-04-20
FIRE! FIRE +! FIRE /!
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED
OUT THREE TIMES LAST WEEK.
The Dwelling House, Owned by John Rhei-
mard, on Railroad Street, Slightly
Damaged Last Saturday Night
Exchange Bakery Suffers Like
Occurrence Sunday Night.

After a comparatively long period |
of inactivity, during which time there
was scarcely fire, or an alarm of
fire a month, the Bloomsburg Fire
Companies have been called out three
times within the short space of three
days.
The first alarm occurred Thursday
night of last week, about half past
seven in the evening. All was serene,
when suddenly the quiet was dis
turbed by the shrlll voice Of whistle
down near the Woolen Mill, followed
by the ringing of the fire bell and the
yelling of men and boys. "The
Wooden Mill is on fire." exclaimed
some one, and at once people began
hurrying in that direction, but when
the scene was reached, it was discov-
cred that the alarm was false one,
and that a locomotive on the Penn
sylvania Railroad was responsible for
the whole affair.
Commensurate with their record In
the past, the fire boys were all on
hand in good time, ready and anxious
to display their ability to combat with
the flames, and the English language
is almost in adequate to express their
feelings OF disgust when they found
out they were unable to do so.
The next and second alarm was
more Of reality. This fire occurred
about nine o'clock Saturday night,
and was first discovered by some pc
destrians who were passing by, and
whose attention was directed by
smoke in great volumes pouring from
window on the second story. The
fated dwelling was the property Of
John Rheimard, and is located at the
corner of Railroad and Fourth
streets. Like the many which have
taken place before it, the orlgination
of the conAagraton is mystery.
There was no one in the house at the
time. Early in the evening the occu-
pants, Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene White
night. after putting out all the lights
and taking the draft off of the stove,
had gone out to call on some friends,
and there was no possible way flame
could have been ignited, unless by a
defective flue, and this seems hardly
likely, when It is considered that the
draft had been off of the stove sew
eral hours previous.
The establishment of the Goot
Will Fire Company in that section O
the town short time ago was proven
to be good judgment. The clos
proximity of the company's hos
house to the scene of the trouble
gave them decided advantage owe
their rivals for honors in this direc
ton, and in about four minutes afte
the alarm was given they had hustle
out, made an attachment to the plu
at Third street, and had stream {
water playing on the burning stru'
ture. There was only short laps
of time until the Winonas and Frient
ships put In an appearance, and d
rectly thereafter, the Rescues cam
jogging along, ready to assist in II
good work. 1t was feared at first th
the fire would spread to the adjoinir
buildings, but this was prevente'
The roof of the house was bad
burned, and the furniture and exteri
of the second story considerab
damaged, but the insurance, we a
informed, will cover all the loss.
The last, and which for tin
looked the most threatening, was
the Exchange Bakery. II was with
a few minutes of twelve o'clock Su
day night when Night Watchman
v. Hover, while walking up Ma
street, discovered smoke issuing @
OF the basement window. He at on
hurried to the Town Hall and ga
the alarm, by ringing the bell. T
Friendships were the first to ansv
the summons. One of the baseme
windows was knocked in with an a,
through which stream of water v
poured, and it was only little awh
until all fears were allayed. The r
cue Company also assisted in QUITE
ing the blaze. The Winonas ca
too late to be of any service, and
absence of the Good Wills is
counted tor by the inadequacy of
fire alarm.
The shrieking of men, rumbline
hose carriages, and the sound of b
rying footsteps on the hard paveme1
disturbed many from their slumb
until by the time the fire was ab