Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-25
PLAIN TALK
About the Recent Meonian
Hall Block Fire
By An Expert, as Published in "fire
and Water Engineering"
Points Worth the Consideration of
Every Augusta Citizen.

In its issue of Jan. 16. Fire and
Water Engineering" q weekly journal
published in New York, and devoted to
hfe protection, water supply and sani
tation, prints an article on the fire of
thursday morning, Jan. Z, when Meo-
man HAN dock was destroyed, and
Union Hall block was damaged. 1t
was written by an authority on such
matters, and is interesting reading,
imasmuch as it gives a concise state
ment of the fire. and the city's re-
sources for fighting CONVERSATIONS. to-
gether with good suggestions. besides
paying a deserved compliment to our
chief engineer. 1t should he read by
all, and surely by the few individuals
who seem TO consider il their mons
duty at every fire TO weary those with
in earShot with their adverse criticism
of the fremen:
On January Z, two large brick blocks
III the trade center of Augusta, Me-
ana occupied by the First National
Bank and several stores were burned
with an estimated loss of 5000, OOO The
flames were first Noticed near the fur
mace i'm the basement of Whitman &
Adams store-the largest in the city
ana spread rapidly. The aspect OF the
ire was soon so threatening that the
combined fire forces of Waterville,
Gardiner and Hallowell fought for
five hours before they stopped the
blaze. The heaviest losers are Whit
man Il Adams, whose damage is placed
at 100000. Chief Engineer Kicker, of
the fire department, was overcome by
smoke, and several firemen were hurt
by fallin" glass. Augusta. Me-, is an
impol taIt city of between II 900 and
12,G0O inhabitants. It's fire area is 1890
acres, and on it stand number of
brick and stone business buildings,
whose height varies from three to
seven StOrieS-the average height being
fifty-tWO feet. The residential portion
is altogether built of wood. with wood
Ell roofs, their average height being
two and One-half stories. Tho city has
passed ordinances governing the sale
Of fireworks and the storage of COM
bustitles. and has q. volunteer fire de-
partment of siXty-nine members under
Chief C. w. Kicker. The water supply
is furnished by a company from the
Kennebec river, the system being
~ lCStl Noli. he llulIlOcT III
hydrant, set is 10. and the fire pres
sure is 125 pounds. The equipment of
the fire department is as follows:
Steamer, one; hose wagons, two; hose
carriages. six; hose, cotton, rubber
lined. good, 1000 feet: inferior, 20o0 feet
total, 5000; combination chemical and
hoge wagon, one; hook and ladder
truck-not aerial-one; hand chemical
eXtinguiSherS, ten. There is no appar-
atus in reserve, and the number of
horses; in service is six. 1t is obvious,
therefore, that for n city of the size
of Augusta, with such an extensive fire
area to cover and so many wooden
buildings to protect, the fire depart
nelt is Very poorly eQuipped-that it
is starved. in fact, and that, however
efficient its members. it was out of the
quest ton for them to be expected to
handle Il fire Of any magnitude, unles;
they had apparatus enough to do the
work. From the fact of there being
but one steamer and such n prepond-
erance of hose wagons and carriages. it
is clear that the chief reliance of the
council committee on fire--for there is
no board of fire commissioners-is upon
hydrant pressure. without regard being
paid to the fact that in zero weather
such as has lately prevailed and is
normal in Maine during winter. the
hydra ntS are liable to he frozen and de-
lay to occur therefrom just at the mo-
mcnt when powerful streams are most
called for and can do most good. In
any case. when the water service in
small city is controlled by company.
it frequently follows that the full fire
pressure is not maintained. and cannot
be got up ut once. Often, too. the
pressure set down as being maintained
IS merely nominal, and could not be at
tanned under any conditions, owing to
foul or lcaky mains. and the necessity
for supplying the wants of the COM
munity, which at this time of the year
include keeping the water running
from the faucets so as to avoid
frozen and bursting pipes. and in sum-
mer. flushing sewers. SprinklinS lawns
and streets. and keeping the water
running in private houses, SO as to
have it cold enough for domestic pur-
poses. AS the city is said to be about
to purchase the waterworks system.
the present order of things will prob
ably lie betterod. In the same way the
fire equipment calls for Improvement.
An additional steamer to be held in
reserve. and a second hook and ladder
truck of up-to-date make are UNI
doubtedly required: another combina-
ton chemical and hose wagon, Deluge
and other sets more hose. and other
accessories are imperatively demanded:
as are. also. a certain number OF PAID
firemen to be always on the spot. ana
of call men who can easily be reached
in time of need Augusta is quite well
enough off to keep up a good paid ire
department, under such an experienced
fire fighter as Chief G. w. Kicker.
whose continued terms of office prove
that he enjoys the confidence OF ms
fellow citizens and the fire committee
of the city council, and, with NUM-
cipal water system that can always be
relied upon to keep the pressure up TO
the mark. there is no reason why the
CITY should not be at least as well pro-
tected against fire as any other of the
same size. The recent visitation Will
probably open the eyes of the citizens
"a tho nncessity of safeguarding ef-