The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-09-13
NARRAGANSETT PIER FIRE
A PROPERTY loss ESTIM4TED At
ABOUT $35O,OOO.
The Rockingham Hotel, Sherry's Fa ,
nous Casino, the Hazard Block, the
knights of Pythias Hall and n Score
of Smaller Buildings Completely De-
stroyed-S Season Had Closed and the
Hotel Was Practically Vacant.

Narragansett Pier, r. l., Sept. 12.-
came to a sudden, unexpected and dis
astrous end this afternoon through the
complete destruction by fire of the
Rockingham hotel, Sherry's beautiful
and famous Casino, the Hazard block,
the knights of Pythas hall and a score
of smaller buildings which in summer
are alive with eXcursionist trade.
| While the terrific gaile undoubtedly
aided the spread of the flames to con-
siderable extent 1t is probable that had
the wind been in the opposite direction
there would have been little left of one
of Americas most popular summer re-
sorts
The fire started from the upper part
of the Rockingham shortly after noon.
and within q few hours nearly all the
adjacent buildings, including the CAST
no, had been destroyed. The loss is es-
timatod at about $250,o00, half of which
is covered by insurance. The fire re-
calls the destruction of the Ocean house
DIT INeNpOlI just tllitt d5p, puL
was far more extensive.
No one has yet come forward with
any facts as to just how the fire start
ed. The big hotel was practically va
cant, having been closed six days, so
that the fire was fortunately unattend-
ed by narrowing escapes or deaths. In
a few minutes the great Rockingham,
sixstores high, built entirely of wood,
was burning like huge tar barrel. The
heat from the burning structure was
terrific and though the wind, which was
bowling from the west, carried a great
er part Of the smoke and flames straight
out to sea, the fire nevertheless spread
directly in the teeth of the gale as well
as well as in a slanting direction to the
Casino. Every effort was made to save
the popular resort but within an hour
the southern portion of the Casino was
on fire. and soon the entire building,
with it's sumptuous dancing hall, it's
beautiful dining rooms and other at
tractve features, was wrapt in smoke
and flame.
About the same time the Hazard
block. to the west Of the Rockingham,
caught and the dwellers in it were soon
driven out to stand grimly by while
their belongings were devoured. This
block was occupied by dozen firms.
Following the Hazard block came the
destruction of the knights of Pythtas
hall and then the fire extended to the !
small buildings on Exchange place. |
Here a stand was made by the firemen
and the progress of the flames to the /
north and west was stayed and the rest !
of the town saved. Besides the Rock !
ingham an annex which was used by /
the help of the hotel was also burned, /
while the steamboat pier half a mile
distant was somewhat damaged. For /
the Mathewson, which is stu
ated not far from the Rockingham, es-
caped destruction.
The Rockingham hotel was owned by .
j. G. Burns & Son and was six stories
high, built entirely of wood and valued
at $200, 0O0 being insured for $4,000. The
Casino, which was probably one of the
most conspicuous objects at the pier
was built fifteen years ago and during
the past five years had been under the
of Lewis Sherry of New
York. The building was valued at $780,
300 and insured for $4,000 1t was SO
popular that the people here tonight
are anxiously hoping that it may be re-
Quilt. The Hazard block was valued at
S35 900. The other losses range from
$500 to $4,000 among probably three
score merchants, and the insurance rep
'esents about half the values of the
property swept away.