The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-13

Six fires within the six hours from
20 Q o'clock yesterday afternoon and eve
ming made period OF toll and worry FOL
the hremen and or great anxiety for in
surance agencies.
The nres were in Burrows & Kenyon''
lumber yard at Dean and Washingtor
streets; IN the big barn Of Caleb S. Mann
Sons at Pond and Spring streets; IN the
sash and blind shop of Perkins Brothers
at no Westminster street: in tho machine
shop OF Volney w. Mason at Lafayette
and washington streets, and second call
20 the barn OF the Caleb S Mann's sons.
IL was about 315 when box l29 was
sounded for a fire in the Manns SONS
barn, which was discovered by clarence
S Heap of Lester street
The flames were I'm the loft, WheIe
ouantities OF hay and straw were stored :
and the roof Of the big structure was bad
lv honeycombed, the damage being es'
timated at about $500
The cause OF the fire is not definitely
known. II may have been due 10 sponta-
neous combustion or TO an incendlary.
The fire at the barn in the evening
was not OF much consequence ana was
urohably due 20 a spark from chimney
simultaneously with the ringing or box
100 Carleton c. Chase. employed IN the
burrows d Kenyon lumber yard. soundeu
box "a for a fire he had discovered IN
drying shed I'm the southeast corner ol
the yard on Dean street.
The operator at fire headquarters. Judg-
ing that box "a had been sounded for the
same fire for which box 100 was ringing
did not sound "a.
AS the FIRE companies on the way 70
box l2q passed the lumber yard they saw
volumes OF smoke issuing from the shed,
and supposed box l29 was sounded for
that fire; and they Immediately went I"
work in the lumber yard.
The first company 20 stop at the lum-
Der yari was Hose OF Atwells avenue
The captain. after wait OF seNeral Hlih- H
utes. not being able TO account TOT
the homecoming OF other companies tele,
nhoned 10 fire headquarters that second
alarm be sounded from box "a but as
only a district chief or his superior can
sound a second alarm, the rules were
followed
Meantime. the fire in the shed was rag
ing. and the great volume OF dense smoke
then rising over the buildings apprlsea
Chief Steere OF the f1re. He az once Wehi
to the lumber yard sounded second
alarm and devoted his personal attention
10 that fire.
AS the companies began 10 arrive lines
Of hose were laid and steamers were
rapidly set 20 work; and soon Gordon
OF streams was drawn around the merry
lumber shed and thousands or gallons or
water were being poured into II from
every vantage point
THE fire was never allowed TO spread be-
yond the shed; and within an hour it was
under control.
Because. however, OF the great mass OF
smoke. that made Westminster and other
streets look as IL obliterated by a fog,
people outside the fire lines believed the
entire lumber yard was doomed
The shed contained kiln-dried moldlng
and interior finish stock valued at $1,000
an a Gf ~ rendered practically
Members OF the firm declare that the
fire must have been incendiary. The out
side gate that communicated with a drive
way opening into the lumber yards from
Dean street and passing by the holdings
shed. separating II from the main lumber
sheds, was kept locked and none of their
employees were allowed 10 smoke while
az his work.
Mr.. Kenyon said he could not account
for IL. except on the theory that fre-
bug was again at work. IL was pointed
out that the Burrows & Kenyon fires had
almost always taken place when the stock
carried by the firm was unusually heavy.
After the subjugation OF the flames In
the lumber yard box 50 called the fire.
men TO the Perkins sash and blind factory
at go Westminster street.
The fire started I'm the glass department
at the rear Of the lower floor and spread
to the second floor and thence TO the roof
The loss has not been estimated
The members OF the firm believe this fire
was set: but the police doubt the theory
Of incendiarism.
About Z o'clock Detective Frank john
son arrested John Darby on suspicion of
having some knowledge OF the origin or
this fire The man entered the office OF
the concern under the influence OF liquor
and was asking questions about the fire.
pretending that he was a reporter for a
paper.
He was taken to the Fourth station and
examined by Detectives Johnson, Ncker-
son, Byron and Tidd and Capt. Horton;
but the officers decided that he knew
nothing about the fire and allowed him to
20.
Joseph Harding. Is years old, was ar
rested by Patrolman Wilkinson on Plain
feld street about l o'clock this morning
and held at the Sixth station as a suspi-
,ious person When questioned he told
several contradictory stories but admit
led being at the fire at Burrows & Ken
gon.
Capt John Hutchison of Hook and Lad
Ter was overcome by smoke, but re-
covered soon and returned TO his station.
The most serious accident happened 20
capt Thomas MacNeill of Engine and
Ladderman w. j. Manton Of Hook and
Ladder 1. who were on a ladder directing
a stream OF water into the burning shed.
rhe ladder broke. precipitating the fire.
men 10 a pile OF lumber about 10 feet be-
low.
Manton was not injured beyond shak-
Ing up and was allowed 10 return TO duty.
Capt. MacNeill had confusion OF the