Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-07
FIRE ON CHARLES STREET.
Fighting Flames for Two Hours and a
 Half in Bouffard Block.

Fighting Flames for Two Hours and a
 Half in Bouffard Block.
 A fire of mysterious origin broke out in Boufard's block on Charles street, near Porter street, about 1:45 this morning, and caused about $3,OO0 or more damage before it was extin- guished. Though Chief Snagg has made many inquiries as to the cause of the fire, he has been unable to ascer- tain anything definite in regard to it
 The block where the fire occurred was formerly owned by the late Alex ander Bouffard, but now is the proper ty of an Italian, Landau by name. It is four story wooden structure, con tains bakery and meat store on the first floor, while the remaining floors are occupied by nine families.
 The fire broke out in one of the tene- ments on the fourth floor. It started in room in the center of the building and was discovered shortly after l:3O by one of the tenants, who happened to open the door of the room. AS he did so he was almost blinded with smoke. An alarm of fire was given as quickly as possible and soon there was a wild scramble on the part of the ten ants for place of safety. Much ex- cftement prevailed The tenants, of whom there were seventy or more, rushed here and there in scanty attire, some making a hasty exit from the building, while others fingered to save some precious articles. All escaped without injury. When the ffremen ar rived on the scene the blaze had se- cured good start and was greedily devuWfng the timbers on the fourth floor. It was wicked fre-and the fire laddies had to work hard and long to save the block from utter destruction and to protect the nearby houses. Six lines of hose were laid and the steamer was used. The water tower, line of hose on an aerial ladder, was used to good effect A fine stream of water was thus played on the roof of the block and the houses nearby It was two hours and a haIf after the alarm was given that the recall sounded. During that time the fire had almost completely eaten away the fourth floor. The front and south side of the build ing were almost entirely destroyed. A new roof will have to be built The tenements on the lower floors were badly damaged with water.
 Shortly after the fremen> arrived on the scene mysterious explosion re- sounded throughout the building. This was followed by another explosion of a lesser nature few minutes later. From the loud reports it was thought that quantities of dynamite had ex- phoded, but the occupants of the tene- ment where the explosions occurred declare that they had no dynamite or powder in the house. They cannot ac- count for the explosions The occu- pants of the burned tenement on the fourth floor had no less than nine boarders. It was reported that two boarders had fight and in struggle overturned lamp, which exploded, setting fire to the furnishings of the room. This report, however, could not be verified.
 A sad accident of the fire was the burning of a dozen or more pigeons. It seems that the doves were kept in a room or coop near where the fire start ed. Tn the excitement which followed the breaking out of the fire the ten ants forgot their pretty doves. When the firemen reached the coops the doves were lying dead on the floor, having been sufocated by smoke. Some chickens also are said to have have been burned in the blaze.