Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-19
FIRE LAST NIGHT
Old Ruth Building Corner South
 Main aud Union in a Blaze.

Shortly after midnight last night
 fire was discovered in the Santoro
 store in the old Ruth building at
 the corner of South Main and Union streets. Before the fire was brought
 under control it had partly destroyed
 the fish market of John Schott, Jr,
 Philip Miller's second hand furniture
 store and had totally wiped out the
 fruit store. A small bootblacking
 parlor in the building was also dam
 ageo to some extent. Chief Snagg,
 when asked this morning what the
 loss would be, replied:
 Tn my opinion the total loss will not exceed $3,500. Five hundred dollars will place the building in as good condition as before the blaze, | while the loss ip stock will not, as | far as l can see, be more than $3,- O00." ..... .-~ Special Officer James J. Kiernan and Patrolman Joseph Mccarthy dis covered the blaze near the oil tank in the fruit store. They entered the place and endeavored to quench the blaze, but it was too much for them and they had all they could do to get out. Mccarthy said We were no more than out the door when the l fire came after us."
 Box 4 was sounded and when the f1remen arrived they saw they had to contend with stiff blaze. The flames were bursting from the fruit store and the men found it too un- comfortable to get near the windows. A line of hose was attached to the hydrant at the corner of Bank and Grand streets, and although the blaze had good start, once the water started to play on the flames it was rapidly brought under control. The fire fighters were very diligent so as to prevent the flames from spread ing to Youman'a repair shop, where large quantities of gasoline were stored. They kEew something would happen if the blaze hit that store. Meanwhile the numerous wires above the sidewalk were furnishing the greatest electrical display that the firemen have ever witnessed. This morning Chief Snagg stated that he never before saw anything that could compare to it. Such an array of lights I have never before seen. Blue, yellow, green and all the hues of the rainbow. Now and then the wires would crack. sounding similar to the report of a revolver. On one occasion Captain McEvoy was on the roof of the building when his big fire hat touched a live wire. Of course the hats are insulated on the inside, but for d moment I thought McEvOy was injured. Such . halo of light was thrown around him that is seldom seen. called up to him and asked him if he were hurt, but he was all right"
 Patrick Croee of Chemical En- zine No 1, while attempting to change the nozzle on a two and a half inch hose, received the stream of water in the face and for a mo- ment was stunned. This morning the laugh wss on Patrick, as one of the other men jokingly remarked that Croce was trying to drink from the hose when the accident hap pened.
 The building was formerly owned by Lawrence Ruth, but is now the property of a Mrs Horton of Hart for. a niece of Mrs Ruth.
 This morning workmen were busy repairing the wires which were dam aged by last nights blaze. The pole which stood directly at the corner was burned considerably and at one time looked as though it might be destroyed. The iremen realizing the damage that would be done, even though the power was oil. should the pole fall, put one of their first streams on the pole. The iIIumfna- ton caused by the blaze and the wires could be seen from almost all parts of the town-