The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1905-09-15
MONDAYS MIDNIGHT FIRE.

Store and Bakery of II. l.. Craig De.
strOyed and Several Residences
Badly Damaged GOOD Work by
Volunteers. Several Overcome by
Heat and Smoke.
On Monday night of this week the
population of Welsh were awakened
by loud cries of fire. and the reports
of gun and revolver shots in different
sections of the town.
The fire proved to be IN the Welsh
bakery, owned by r. L. Craig, and
before anything could be done towards
extinguishing it, it had gained such
Roadway that it was only a few minutes
until it collapsed and lay a burning
mass upon the ground. Mr.. Craig
also had incOnnectiOn with his bakery,
grocery store, which at this time
was heavily stocked. He also had in
his ware room sixty barrels of flour,
one tierce of lard and large stock of
smoked meats. This was all burned
with the exception of three and one
half barrels of flour and one side of
meat.
The fire was discovered by Mr..
Craig's baker, Mr.. George Theilan,
about 1l:20 clock when he went to
put the bread into the oven, after hav-
ing drawn the fire. 1t started just
above the oven in the ceiling. Mr..
Craig's loss is estimated at not less
than $500.
After it was seen that the fire was
beyond control, the attention of the
crowd was drawn to the dwelling hous-
es on the three opposite corners of the
street, viz: Mrs. Ada Singleton's, Mr..
A. Bourgeois and Mr.. Alec Verrets.
The houses of Mr.. Bourgeois and
Mr.. Verret were badly scortched and
it was only by the heroic efforts of the
fire fighters that they were saved.
Mrs. Singleton's residence did not
fare so well, as the breeze carried
large Goals over on the roof anC in
short time it was blazing in a dozen
different places. Mr.. Dick Barry
climbed up the porch posts, distance
of twenty feet or more and succeeded
in getting upon the roof and did all he
could to hold the fire in check. Lad
ders were brought and placed against
the building and the lads swarmed
to the roof and fought desperately
for about twenty minutes when they
succeeded in extinguishing the flames.
Mrs. Singleton's loss to house and
furniture amounts to about $3.50.
At about the time the fire was extin-
guished, Dick Barry was seen to roll
down the roof and but for the quick
work of Will Labit, who stopped
his fall on the gallery roof, would
have been dashed to the ground. He
was carried to his home in an uncon.
scious condition and remained in tina,
state for over an hour. He was under
DR.. Cooper's care.
At about the same time VIM. Terry
was overcome with the heat and lapsec
into unconsciousness. He was taker
home and was under the care of DR.
Arceneaux. Restoratives were APP
piled and he was soon brought too.
Much praise is due Mr.. Merit Morrel
who, after climbing to the top of {
| ladder, found that he was nearly ter
feet from window in the gable end o
the building, around which the fire
had gained considerable Roadway
and by an almost super-human effort
succeeded in scaling the wall until hi
could reach up and with a buckle
break out the window, after which HI
climbed into the garrett and did some
effectual fighting, but at the same time
was risking his life as he was hemmet
in by the fire and had they not sue
ceeded in extinguishing it, it would