Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-04-14
Buffalo and Syracuse Rushed Companies to Aid
the Local Department
HUNDREDS OF PERSONS HOMELESS
Camped Out Last Night with what Little Property They
Could Save-Campers Guarded by the Militia-Fifty
Residences Beside Other Property Destroyed-Delay
in Sending in Alarm-Flames Famed by Gale.

Directly back of the Palmer build
ing, and in the path of the flames was
Grove place The heat was so in
tense that the fremen were driven
back from their position in this street,
and the Ward apartments. valued at
100000, took fire and burned rapidly.
From this point the flames swept
across the street, but the firemen made
stand and saved the houses
Scenes of Panic.
The tenants here had removed much
Of their property earlier in the course
of the blaze and had carried IL into the
Birth Kodesch Temple, where later
it was destroyed Sweeping down
street from the temple the flames at
tackled the First German Lutheran
Zion church, and II was a question for
two hours whether this building could
be saved While the firemen were
busy there the fire rushed on to Still
son street and from Grove street north
ward, damaging every house for two
blocks on Stillson street. There were
many scenes Of panic among the resi-
dents. Among a great portion OF those
who lived nearby there was but one
thought-the city was doomed Women
threw from windows of houses which
were not in danger beds, bureaus, ta-
bles. and all sorts Of furniture and
personal belongings. one woman, Mary
kirschnamsky Of 119 Kelly street. went
violently insane and was removed 10
the Rochester state hospital. Drayrmen
reaped harvest removing goods 10
places Of safety It was the last day
Of the feast Of the Passover. and many
Of the Jewish residents Of this part of
the city interpreted the situation as this
outward visible sign OF the second
coming Of the Messiah. Men. women
and children tore their hair and knelt
In the street to pray
Volunteer Fire Brieades Formed
Fires broke out so frequently in va
rious spots in the northeastern part Of
the citv that companies could not be
despatched 10 all OF them. Volunteer
brigades were formed and answered
many Of the calls. armed with garden
hose or chemical apparatus. While the
Palmer fire was at its height the
sparkle carried a mile. and lighted on
the First Reformed church OF Amer
lea at Oregon and Harrison streets, a
mile distant. Little attention was paid
TO the new fire at first, only one COM
pany being semitic the scene.
Flames on Three Different Streets.
But soon the entire district was a
scene of confusion, ana calls for addi-
tional aid were hurried in. Three diff
ferent streets in the neighborhood were
dotted with flames, and Chief Little
after conference with the fire UNDER
writers. decided to appeal to Buffalo
and Syracuse for aid.
Fearful Of Fresh Outbreak.
Tonight Rochester was terror strick-
en-. Today's fires are a elimination Of
an uninterrupted series Of fires lasting
for weeks many OF which have been
charged to incendiarism. Although
both of today's fires were under con-
troll by o'clock this afternoon, the
flames were still smoulderng through
out the evening in dozens Of places.
The wind continued to increase in We
locity and both firemen and police
were compelled to do all night duty
assisted by the three companies Of local
militia. All were fearful that a fresh
outbreak Of the flames might come at
any time.