Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-02-07
NEWS IN BRIEF.
WATERBURY DEVASTATED.
Double conflaeration Swept Through
the Heart of the Connecticut City,
CAUSING Loss of 100000.

Waterbury, Conn., was devastated by a
double connagration Sunday night and
Monday morning, IS to 10 acres or terri
tory being burned over in the business
heart of the city. Many OF the hhest
blocks for mercantile purposes were de-
stroyed, 100 business concerns burned OUT,
and the total loss is estimated at $l,5OO,wo
TO S2OOOOOO. with good insurance. Few
accidents, occurred, and none were fatal
The city's heart was wiped out, taking in
a triangle bounded on the north by ok
change street place on the west by Bank
street on the south by Grand street and
on the east by South Main street
The fire broke out at $3.50 Sunday even
ing in Reid & Hughes's big store on Bank
street The firemen soon abandoned at
tempts to save the buring structure to
turn their attention to adjacent property
1t was of no avail. Within 10 minutes the
Salvation Army barracks were burning
Thence the flames leaped Bank street ana
destroyed three places of business; then
recrossed Bank street and destroyed Ma
sonic Temple. Within As minutes it be-
came evident that it was not fire, but a
conflagration. Swept by a wind almost
of the proportions of a hurricane, the
flames threatened to destroy the entire
business section.
Firemen weres summoned quickly from
New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport, Maui
prompt arrival of help, the fire for time
gained. Just when the fire fighters seem
ed about to stamp out the fire, it would
break out anew in another place. At $50
a. m the block bounded by Bank, Centre,
Grand and Leavenworth streets had been
levelled and twenty blocks We're in ruins.
At a. m. the heroic work of the tremen
seemed TO make an impression, and slow
ly, but surely, the great fire seemed on the
road to its end.
An hour later the city was thrown into
renewed panic by an outbreak of fire in
the billiard room of the Scovil House, the
leading hotel of the city, adjacent to the
city hall. This hotel was remodelled a
few years ago at an expense of $4,000, and
was valued at S15O,000. 1t was Quilted and
the flames spread to adjoining property.
The fine brown stone city hall was saved,
as the wind was blowing away from it.
The wind was blowing a gale, spraying
sparks like an umbrella covered the en-
tire business portion of the city, and al
though the fire department was reinforced
by other departments of Connecticut cities
the fire was for a time beyond control.
The use of dynamite to blow up buildings
was considered several times. The cleo
trio wires were cut. and the city was in
darkness aside from the light of the big
fire, and the street cars could not be
moved The Masonic temple, the Water
bury bank building, the Waterbury Amer
leans block, and some 80 structures con-
tanning stores We're consumed The arm
ory, the city hall and churches were
thrown open as places of temporary shell
ter to the homeless people. Two compan-
les of militia We're called out to assist the
police in maintaining order, this action
being considered necessary on account of
the thieving in the deserted houses and
the general panic throughout the city. 1t
is thought that the fire which started in
the Scovi House was of incendiary ORR
gin.