The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-03-28
A STOBBORN BLAZE.

About three o'clock Friday morning res
idents OF the city were awakened by the
resonant Changing Of the fire alarm. but not
until second and more prolonged alarm
was sounded did the people turn out in any
considerable numbers except the fire de-
partment which arrived promptly, as usual
The scene OF the fire was that portion of
the new LsngdoD block on the corner Of
Main and State streets which is to be oceu-
pied by the Montpelier Savings Bank and
Trust Company on the first floor and the
Union Mutual Fire Insu ance Company's
offices on she second hOor.
A woman tenant in the opera house block
first discovered fire in the building as she
could see the blaze from her window. She
rushed to the telephone exchange and a
general alarm was qnickly given.
At first, fire was found only in the cell
ing and on the ground door but it later
broke out on the second floor. A high wind
prevailed for time and increased the stub
borness of the blaze. Three streams were
used in extinguishing the fire. The call
ont" was sounded about 3GiA NJ.
An investigation showed that without q
doubt the fire originated between the cell
ing on the ground floor and the floor of the
second AZ a large hole had been burned
consuming heavy overlays and an elegant
mahogany desk valued at some 5000 which
stood over the spot Electric wires being
found running across this hole gave rise to
the theory that the fire was caused by the
wires, which carry 1o4 volta, coming in con-
tact. It was thought the fire had smould-
cred for several hours until it had bgrned
through the ceiling OF the first floor, and
the blazing brands dropping down into the
excelsior and other wrappings used about
the mahogany vain coating and other fit
tings for the banking quarters aud thus
created the blaze that led to the discovery
of the fire.
Still the cause of the fire is mystery
1t is claimed that several times during the
construction of the building fuses had been
blown frequently by the high current of
electricity used but that on this occasion
not fuse was found blown AZ it is said
would have been had the wires come in
contact one with another. The electrician
advanced the theory OF the spontaneous
combustion of painters materials but that
is not generally accepted az a majority are
convinced that the fire without doub5
originated between the fiooTs..
That portion of the building which was
visited by the fire was nearly ready for &C.
cupanoy. The other portions of the build
ing, to be occupied DO the A. ID. Barwell
Company store ON the ground floor, j. M
Boutwell's offices on the second and the
Apollo Club on Ghe entire third floor were
only damaged slightly by smoke and steam
After the fire department had Withdrawn
fire was discovered between the fret and
second floors in several places but this was
promptly extinguished by outting through
the floor and using garden hose.
The walls and ceilings are blackened ana
broken on both floors the wainscoating and
furniture, nearly all OF which had arrived
and was for the most part in place, was so
blstered that it will have to be removed
and sent back to the factory. The banking
qusrters we're the most damaged as con-
siderable of the finish was totally destroyed
and every one of the plate glass windows
were cracked or broken by the heat.
The con tract for the mahogany furnish
srn.n fNE ghn hQn II md Inl n Al
amounted to between $1,000 and $4,000.
| 1t is aid that by the terms of the contract,
the Robert Mitchell Furniture Company Of
| Cincinnati, o. which furnishes this material
will have to stand the loss as 1t had not yet
! been accepted. This loss is estimated at
from 81, 600 to $4,000 Altogether the mater
ial and rooms present a wretched appear
ance as there Is considerable that can be
called total loss. j. A. Linehart, who
came with the furnishings and is super
intending the placing of them, could not
say whether or not his company continued
the insurance on the material after 1t left
the factory.
The loss to the Langdon estate in the
damage to the building, which is insured
with the Union Mutual for $4,000 and
with Joseph G. Browns agency for the
same amount, Is estimated not to exceed
$1,000.
IL is probable that an investigation will
be made with a view to establishing, II pos
sible, the correct cause OF the fire. Worl
on the other portions OF the building Ia be
inq pushed TO completion. 1t was expected
that the damaged portion would be ready
for occupancy by April l but 1t Is nov
thought the rooms cannot be gotten int
shape again until sometime in July. Thu
will be q setback to the city which Is wait
ing for the present quarters OF the U MOI
: Mutual, and to A. q. Stone, who Ia TO oc