Waterbury Democrat., 1902-01-22
HANDSOME ED|F|CE BURNED.
St Mary's Catholic Church of
 New Britain in Ruins.

Was One of the Costliest Church Edi-
 fees in New England -Fire1nen Had Blaze Well Under Control When n Terrific Explosion Started the
 Flames AneW-Parochial Residence
 Also Caught on Fire-The Property Was Insured for $75,ooG.
 New Britain Jan 22-St Mary's Ro- man Catholic church at the north end oI Main street, one of the most beau tlIul In New England, was destroyed py nfe early this morning. The cnufch and it's contents were valued at about Sl50.OO0 and it is a total loss After the firemen believed that they had the fire under control there was a tremendous explosion and after fhis there was no hope of saving the fine edlhce. The explosion is believed to have been caused by gas.
 The alarm for the fire was sent in from box 42 at 12:1O o'clock and fifteen minutes afterwards the dreaded gen. efal alarm was turned in This called out the entire department, three steamers, four hose carts, hook and ladder truck and aerial truck.
 The fire was first located between the floors at the rear of the church After a half hours work the firemen supposed that they had the fire untier control. At this time a tremendous explosion was heard and columns of flames shot up to the roof of the church. In five minutes the whole interior was a roaring furnace.
 Fathers Leddy and Harty, who were sleeping in the parish house nearby. were aroused when the fire was dis covered and ran to the church. The priests ran into the burning structure and endeavored to save the blessed sacrament. The flames were too hot. however, and the priests were rescued with great difficulty by the firemen. At l:30 it became evident that the in- terior of the edifice would be de- stroyed.
 It is supposed that the flames melted gas pipe and the explosion was from gas. This is the only theory ad- yanced for the explosion. The boil CTS are not located in the portion of 1 the building where the fire started.
 Shortly before 7 o'clock the flames spread to the parochial residence ad- joining the church. The firemen saw that it was impossible to save the | church and they directed their efforts | to fighting the fire in the parochial [ residence. The flames broke out again and again on the side of the res- idence nearest the church in spite of all the fremen could do.
 On the north side there are several small sheds and a dwelling house These buildings caught fire, but the flames were put out after hard fight One shed at the rear of the church was destroyed.
 Assistant Engineer William Sullivan was struck on the head by a slate rom the roof. A severe gash was cut n his head and he was taken to a )hysician's office where the wound was lressed.
 The lower part of St Mary's church vas dedicated in 1889, and the church vas completed in 1894. Bishop Tier ley was the pastor of the church at hat time and he was largely instru- mental in having the church built The ! hurch and the contents are valued at 150,OO0 and everything is lost. The hurch accommodated between 1.5OO l nd 2O00 people, The building was | f brown stone and of Gothic archi- ( ecture. There was a chapel in the asement I When the pastor of the church. Rev l llchael Tierney, was made bishop of ' ne diocese, he was succeeded by Rev 2 ather Harty, who came from Hart s 1rd. Father Harty is the present Il astor of the church. He built the t actory about two years ago at d cost t $30,0O0. It was one of the hand ( 'mest parochial residences in the q ate. q New Britain, Jan 22.-No explana- sl on could be. given to-day of the W use of the fire which completely de- II royed St Mary's Roman Catholic W lurch early this morning. The en- O re interior of the church lies q mass " twisted iron and stone i'll the cellar is he church was equipped with an or Il ln that cost $1O,0OO. u The building was lighted by gas il ld electricity. Many believe that d u 'fectively insulated wire came in W intact with a gas leak. The church " IS insured for S75,0O0. but the loss ill be in excess of that figure. h FIRST FREIGHT OVER ICE. S