The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-20

Yesterdays oppressive heat. which up
to 2:so. when the thermometer at the
city hall registered exactly 90. promised to
be a record-breaker for May. was given
considerable OF jolt by one OF the Sc
verest electrical storms that has visited
the city for long time.
Soon after o'clock rumblings in the
heavens and banks OF black clouds in the
east. gave notice that something besides
sunshine and heat could be expected and
at 2:30 the temperature began to fall rap
idly. and at the vanguard OF the storm
appeared In few scattered drops OF rain
a big as half dollars. This opening vol
ley soon passed away. but at o'clock the
storm broke over the city with all its
fury.
The down town sections were not IA
vored with much rain. and in the western
part ot the city scarcely IL any rain fell.
On the east side, however, the rain fell
in torrents sections near the Seekonk
river being visited by terrific downpour
OF rain.
All over the city. however the lightning
flashed and the thunder rolled almost in
cessantly and with great energy. In the
parts ~ the city where the rain was the
heaviest there was also severe hail
storm.
THE DAMAGE DONE.
Considerable damage was done by the
storm, principally from the electrical
disturbances. lightning struck conver-
ter on the house OF Harry w. Fuford
on Columbia avenue. Edgewood and
caused blaze that for a time threatened
TO become serious. A call was sent 10
Volunteer Fire company No. l OF Paw
tuxet. but when the company arrived the
fire had been extinguished. The house
was damaged but slightly.
In the early part OF the storm. bolt Of
lightning struck a house on Albert ave-
nue.. Edgewood, ripping half hundred
shingles from the roof as cleanly as
though IL has been done with shovel.
The iremen OF the city had merry
time OF II for during a period Of an hour
and a half the bells were ringing almost
constantly seven alarms being rung in.
mostly for fires on the east side.
Five OF the alarms were rung. I'm be-
tween and 4:3o. The first was from box
1893. Lippitt and Bates streets. The cleo
trio fluid had burned out the converter on
the parish house connected with the
Church OF the Redeemer on North Main
street at the corner of Lippitt street. The
damage was slight.
Four minutes later box ass was rung in,
situated at the junction OF Angel and
South Angel streets The house owned
gell street, unoccupied on the first floor
and occupied by w Herbert Bowtelle on
the second was struck and the lightning
made two small holes in the roof. about
two feet apart, but the house did not
catch Are.
Seven minutes later an alarm came in
from box 10. East River street. near South
Angel street. for a blaze In the house
owned by Prof George W. Field OF Brown
University and occupied by Prof Homer
The electric current overcharged the
wires and the converter In this instance
also and the fire got I'm between the first
and second floors. damaging the building
TO the extent Of about 500.
THE SECOND ALARM
At i25 the second alarm was sounded
from box 455. Lightning had struck a
chimney on the house at the corner OF
Rhode Island avenue and Patterson
street occupied by G.. NJ. Garnett, and
ripped OFF number OF bricks.
At 4H an alarm was rung In from box
o. for a fire under the roof OF the house
of Everett l.. Spencer. l3 and Is Adelph
avenue. The electric light converter was
the avenue OF entrance for the electric
f,uid. and the roof was considerably dam
aynd Thia ie tho third TINA that