Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-06
Smouldering Ruins All That Re-
mains Of Waterways Bust
ness Section.
INCENDIARlSM SUSPECTED
flagration Starting in the Scovill
Companies-Rebui to be
Begun at Once.

Waterbury, Conn, Feb. Acknowledging
ruins mark the main business section of
this city as the result Of the fire that
broke out last night and continued until
this morning. The exact total of loss Is
difficult to obtain, but 1t will be about
$50, $50.
There is a very strong suspicion that the
fire that completely destroyed the Scovill
House, which burned after the first out
break was partially under control, was OF
intendiary origin.
The hotel fire originated in the pool and
billiard room in the basement of the house
on the side farthest from the burning dis
trict and all heat for the room was sup
piled from a boiler in another part of the
building.
No one could be found to explain it's
origin, and the authorities are investigat-
ing.
The flames had only begun to die out
down along Bank Grand and South Main
streets where the main fire occurred when
ii was found that the hotel was on fire
and something resembling a panic occur
red. 1t was evident the building was doc M
cd for if the fire had reached the adjoining
buildings there would have been very 1T
tie hope OF saving the center Of the city.
The fire blazed far into the day and was
not eXtlnguished entirely until evening.
The main fire cut off all communication
and a tangle in the net work of wires him
dered the work of extingushing the last
flames and clearing away the wreckage
but telephone communication lighting IA
cilities and electric power were restored
before night fall
A revised list Of losses and insurance is
very difficult to obtain at this time. Few
know Just what the loss was on their
buildings and stock.
The remarkable feature Of the fire was
undoubtedly the absence so far known
of loss of life Two men who were asleep
II Il Of
the Holmes, Booth e Haydens Co., and
members of the board of education, and
the second cook. a German were reported
missing, but both have located.
only two cases of slight injuries have
been reported.
The rebuilding of the ruined structures
is only a question of time. Temporary
quarters have been secured by all tn a:
nrms and though small the merchants oX-
pect soon to be in commodiouS quarters.
Many have already teleSraphed Tor new
stock and will resume business immedi-
atey.
The American Publishing company is
among the heaviest losers the buildil &
being entirely ruined but the paper was
issued in an abbreviated form tonight.
rhe walls Of the mechanical department
are still standing and it is said that it
will be rooted in Immediately The pres
and machines are believed to be not stri
ouslv damaged, though under water ard
debris.
There has been more or less disorder
about the streets, which were piled with
household goods and strewn with small
articles thrown from the windows but the
amount of theving was small compared
with the opportunities offered.
The fire in its entirety burned over four
acres of the cityS choicest business sec
ton Among the prominent buildings to-
tally destroyed are the block occupied by
the entire plant of the Waterbury Amer
lean, the Masonic Temple, the two leading
hotels OF the city, the SCovill and Franklin
houses, the clothing stores of Jones Nor
gan 4 Co. and j. Is. Mulings; the Hanson
Scllew Furniture company, the New Eng
land Engineering company, the Sapalne-
: Hoffman company, the w, l.. Douglas
= Shoe company. Ryan & Fitzmaurice, the
! johnson block. occupied by Cannon &
. Webster. Berschel's Turkish bath and the
salvation Army Workingmen's Home,
: Jean jacques $4,000 block on Grand
street, the Best Furniture company and
$ ores of others.
In all about one hundred of the city 5
most prominent business houses are burn
cd out This property loss may be csti-
mated at between 100000 to $500 90 and
the loss on stocks, etc at as much more.
As far as can be learned, the greater
y, part of the loss is covered by inSuraule
During the night the mayor was in com
, muniCation with Governor Mclean and
! the militia was called cut. Companies A
! and G. consisting Of about 10 men were
. detailed dbput the fire district and are
. sim on duty.
The armory. the city hall, the churches
; and Other public places have bee n turned
- into temporary shelters, hundreds being
rendered homeless.
Mayor kilduf' was asked If he would cal
, for financial aid from outside cities. The
: MAYOR rc5pondtd quickly, saying:
"Waterbury, although suffering a Griev'
/, Gus blow, will take care Of herself, al
:, though extremely grateful for the express
=, sions of sympathy that have poured in or
4 every side"
EVERY INSURANCE. COMPANY All.
. FECTED.
n New York, Feb. sit is estimated that
: the fire at Waterbury Will cost the leadiN c
V insurance con panies of this city about
s 81, 200 600, Practically every company OF