The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-01
A $175,000
FIRE VISITS
BROCKTON

Brockton, Jan. 1.-The City block. a
three-story brick structure in the heart OF
the business section, and containing the
City theatre, was gutted by fire that
broke out about 1915 last night and which
was not got under control until after
o'clock this morning.
The loss on building and contents is
estimated at sl75.oOo
1t was the largest fire that Brockton
has had since the burning OF the rink,
about ~ years ago, when the First Con-
gregational church was also destroyed and
several residences damaged
Aid was asked OF Avon. Stoughton,
Taunton and Boston. The Avon com
pany, numbering IS men. was the first to
respond IL brought steamer and a
hose reel, and took up position on Green
street. While there a fire broke out in
Avon and the steamer was called home,
making another run I'm record time
The Stoughton and Taunton companies
arrived soon after, and %at 2:15 a special
train from Boston. brought engine COM
pany 49, having made the run I'm 80 min
utes. Fire Commissioners Wells accom-
panied the company.
STARTED IN BASEMENT.
The Sire started In the basement or j.
w Shaw's grocery csta ablishment I'm the
City block, corner OF Ward and Main
streets. from some unknown cause.
Until shortly before / o'clock IL was
confined TO the basement and first floor.
Then the entire three stories burst into
flames, and the ROOF was also ablaze
AT Lao the big cupola on the roof fell
and the timbers went clear through TO
the basement tearing through other burn
ing timbers and falling floors.
The smoke was terrific. and the firemen
had to do heroic stunts 10 keep within
fighting distance OF the flames
George c. Seeley OF the Montello fire
sta tion was overcome by smoke in the
covered alleyway between the front part
Of the building and The City theatre.
He was taken TO n neiRhhoring store. re-
vived. and sent home in the ambulance.
George y. Holmes p call fireman was
overcome by smoke early this morning.
and was taken 10 a nearby store. lie
was revived and afterward insisted upon
returning 10 his work
The fire was under control at 2:20 hav-
ing been confined to the block I'm which
1t originated. The theatre portion was
saved. and the adjacent blocks suffered
only water and smoke damage
DAMAGES AND INSURANCE.
On tho first floor. A. w Shaw. provis-
ions, loss roughly estimated at $40. .000
Besse. Baker & Co. clothing and furnish
ings. loss about $50 600.
on the second floor were: Cad Robin
son. pianos; Dr J. r. Shaw. o. u. Rubin
eye specialists: W. r. Mason. printer and
rubber stamps manufacturer; Osca<A5 God b
man. tailor; DR.. Quinn. dental parlors
City theatre box office; A. i. Rich law
yer; r. A. Sweetland. violin teacher.
One the upper door were: Elective
lodge 204. l. ., .. F., Independent lodge.
Daughters Of Rebekah. and other societies!
The block measured % feet on Main
street and 10 feet on Ward street II
was of brick and supposed TO have been
freproof II was three stories high. with
iron front and was erected I'm 1880 at a
cost of 100000. The theatre Is 100 feet
deep and l73 feet wide. 1t was dedicated
Oct. ~, 1884 and cost $50 600.
The block was insured for sS4. 900. and
the theatre for the same amount
The building was owned by a syndi-
cate composed Of ex Mayor John J. Whip
pie. w. b Cross. and the estates OF Daniel
s Howard and David s Packard