Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-22
COSTLY FIRE
VI j..
Set '!|' BY Lite Boy ply.
ing With Matches
Store and Residence at TiconiC
And Maple Streets Quilted.
Loss Will Reach $4,000, Partially
Covered by Insurance.

The largest fire for many months &C.
Cured about 1890 o'clock Tuesday af-
ternoon, when the building owned by
William Levine at the corner of I'll
comic and Maple streets was badly gut
ted. The fire was set by Percy, the A.
year-old son of Mr.. Levine, who was
playing with children in the lower
shed. The youngster acknowledged the
act and felt real proud as he saw the
flames and smoke ascend from the
burning building. The house, although
not a total loss, was badly Quilted by
fire and water. The loss will reach
about $4,000, on Which there is partial
insurance.
The fire was first discovered by
neighbors, who noticed the huge vol
umes of smoke rolling out from the
rear doors and windows. An alarm was
Immediately sent in from Box 45, which
is ON the Hose 4 house, directly across
the street. Hose made a quick run to
the hydrant and soon had two lively
streams on the house. Hose No. l and
Hook & Ladder No. / arrived in a
short time and were soon helping fight
the flames, which had gained good
Roadway.
The flames crept from the lower shed
of the grocery store, which is on the
lower floor, through the back partitions
and into the attic, and famed by a
strong breeze made the firemen step
lively to check their progress. Four
streams of water We're soon put into
the building, but the dense smoke made
| the work of getting at the direct fire
very difficult. Several long ladders
were raised and the firemen went into
the burning attic. In short time they
had the fire under control.
The top part of the building was &C.
cupied by William Levine and family
as a residence. Although their furni-
| ture did not suffer much from fire, it
| was completely ruined by water. Many
valuable articles We're saved from the
burning building by the tiremen.
The grocery store on the ground
floor was conducted by J. L. Cook. 1t
was in the rear of his shop that the
| fire was set. Mr.. Cook carries large
stock, all of which was badly drench-
ed. A large quantity of oil is kept in
the cellar, but the fire did not reach
that section of the building.
When the fire was well under con-
| troll and the officials were DESTROYS OF
knowing about how the blaze caught,
the 4-year- old son of Mr.. Levine, who
was near, stated: IL set the house on
fire, papa" On inquiring from the lad
| lust how he did it, he stated that he
was playing with a party of boys in
the shed and that they had matches
in their possession. They ignited sew
eral combustble articles, little realiZ-
ing the consequences The little chap
seemed to have no fear and told his
story without hesitation.
The fire was the worst the local de-
partment has experienced for a long
time. The department fought the blaze
| in a commendable manner The fire was
lodged in the attic. which was very
small and TO gain access to this 1t was
necessary to go up the burning stairs
or through the windows into the blind
ing smoke. This they did without hes
itation and soon had the blaze out.
Mr.. Levine stated afterward that ne
valued his building at $4,000. On the
building he has insurance to the
amount of $500 and on his furniture
$500. Mr.. Cooks loss will reach about
$500. He carries $500 on his stock.