The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-03-08
FIRE DESTROYS
Home OF PASTOR
C. S. BULLOCK
Neighbors Remove Furniture to
Home of William Henry
Benjamin
Stratford Fire Department Does
Excellent Service-Cause of
Blaze is Unknown
Especial to The Farmer.)

especial TO Inc Earmer.)
Stratford, March S.-About half
after nine o'clock this morning the
bell in the Congregational church
rung an alarm Of fire, striking IL.
indicating that the fire was on South
Main street. In the absence of Fire
Chief Judson, Town Clerk Lowell, and
men living near the fire house, got
out the hose reel and the chemical
truck. and started for the scene Of
the blaze which proved to be in the
house occupied by Rev. c. S. Bullock
and family at the corner of Main
street and Stratford avenue. Consid-
erable difficulty was experienced in
getting the chemical truck up the hill
by the Congregational church, owing
to the fact that there were not men
enough to pull the machine. At this
Juncture stranger came to the res
cue with his automobile and pulled
the machine to the scene of the fire.
The hose reel, being lighter arrived
in good time and being attached TO
the hydrant at Hard's Corner soon
had a stream playing upon the blaze.
The fire was discovered in a room
used for the storing Of kindling wood,
which was in a lean too at the back
in the room, and no one had entered
1t but Mr.. Bullock. who went in this
morning to get hod Of coal. He is
unable to account for the origin OF
the fro.
The blaze had made considerable
headway before the alarm and the
arrival Of the hose cart. The L at
the rear of the building was in flames,
and as the house is an old wooden
structure, the fire soon crept into the
attic of the main building where It
burned for more than half an hour.
1t was a difficult spot to reach, but
the men worked with energy and
courage, and by quarter of IL
o'clock, had the flames under con-
troll. The house was drenched with
water. inside and out, but the main
building remains standing. The
friends and neighbors of Mr.. Bullock
assembled In large numbers, and sue
ceeded in saving the furniture. a
brother of Mr.. Bullock's, who hap
pened to be visiting in town from
New York state, took charge Of the
removal of the furniture which was
taken to the home of william Henry
Benjamin, the stepfather of Mr.. Bull
lock. 1t SO happened that all the
children Of the family were away.
his furniture, but it is understood that
Mr.. Conine. the owner of the house,
was insured.
The loss must be considerable, but |
has not been estimated. The house |
at $3.50. Many Of the firemen were |
drenched to the skin. showing the |
necessity which exists for them to |,
have rubber coats and other protec-
ton. Edward F. Leeds. with the in
tent Of taking home those who got |
wet took out his automobile and car
ried the boys to their homes. Among
the men at the fire besides the fire.
men, who rendered assistance, were
Arthur Wheeler. Rev. DR.. Packard,
Dr. Howland, Father O'Conner, Mr..
st. John, David L. Rhoades. Mr.. Sam
mis- Mr.. Policy. Mr.. Holmes. and
many others, besides all the women
Of the neighborhood. George Webb.
backed by Rowe Wheeler, entered the
blazing attic and turned on a power
full stream of water, which soon
1uenched the flames. ALI the men in
charge of the fire apparatus worked
with courage and did effective SER
yfce. Much sympathy was expressed
'or Mr.. Bullock. He narrowly es-
,aped serious injury, having much of
mis- hair burned to crisp.