The Democratic advocate., 1906-12-28
Loss ESfimdfeddf
About $4,000.
A Laundry, Dwelling
Two Stables and
Contents Burned.

Westminster was visited by two fires this
week that were very destructive. The first
fire occurred on Sunday morning between IL
and o'clock, when two stables were burned
near the High School building, close 10
Centre street. One of the structures belonged
to Mrs. William 81. Vanderford, and was a
double building, about 90 feet long with
large hay loft above, and was occupied by
Mrs. Vanderford and Mr.. John T. Lynch.
The other building belonged to Mr.. Shriner,
for whom corn crib, with about Is barrels
of corn and IA cords of wood was destroyed,
and also lost large quantity of fodder
and other provender. Mrs. Vanderford lost
some very costly articles that she had stored
away for the winter in the hay NOW, as she
used it for a storage house, and Mr.. Lynch a
sleigh.
What caused the fire is not known, but
when discovered, it was burning in the loft
on the side occupied by Mrs. Vanderford.
The live stock and carriages in both build
ings were saved. The stables were wooden
buildings and we're surrounded by quite a
number Of other infammable structures all
of which, with other property, were in i'm.
minent danger of destruction. Sparks were
carried for considerable distance across the
lower part of the town, but on account of the
good work done by the fremen the adjoining
properties were saved, and the fire soon uuder
control. Mrs. Vanderford's loss is about
$1,000, insured for $3.50 in the Charles E..
Goodwin agency, and Mr.. Shriner's loss about
$500. insured in the Mutual Fire Insurance
of Carroll County for $500.
The second fire took place on Christmas
morning, between and O'Clock in the
new laundry and overall factory recently built
by Mr.. Raymond P. Bankert, on Pennsyl-
vania avenue, with large quantity of expen-
sive machinery, dwelling house, with all its
contents were burned and another dwelling
house damaged. Mr.. Raymond Bankert also
owned the dwelling that was damaged, and
which was occupied by Mr.. George Beck and
family, whose personal effects were literally
! soaked by water.
The dwelling which was destroyed was
owned by Mrs. John Doyle, and occupied by
George Manger and family, who lost all
their clothing and household effects, barely
escaping with their lives. This residence was
partly destroyed by fire year or so ago. Mrs.
Zentgraft's residence, which was next to the
dwelling that was destroyed, was Oh fire, but
was extinguished before any amount of dam.
age was done. Mr.. Bankert's loss approx
mates $1,000. The damaged dwelling owned
by him is insured for $500 in the James E.
Smith Il Sons agency, and $1,000 on the
contents of the factory in the Charles E..
Herring agency. Mrs: Doyle's loss is about
5000, partly insured in the Carroll County
Company. Mr.. Beck's loss is about $500.
and is i, sured.
All the buildings destroyed and damaged
we're frame structures and were surrounded
by other frame structures. which were in
danger, but by the great efforts put forth by
the fire department, were saved without
damage.
The origin of the fire is not known, but
seems to have started in the laundry. and
was burning fercely before discovered and
alarm given. The West End district reel
was hurriedly taken out and hose attached
with stream playing on the fire 20 minutes be-
fore an alarm was given at the engine house.
After which some of the 6remen were aroused
from their slumber by the cry of fire, who
hurried to the scene of the fire. Out of so
fremen not over 20 or 25 being present, not
hearing the alarm from the bell.
A fire alarm system is what Westminster
needs, so when fire occurs any citizen can
run to box and turn in an alarm right on
the street. and instead of bell have large
gongs placed over the town.