Smyrna times., 1912-11-20
CONCERN FELT IN SMYRNA
OVER FIRE At REHOBOTH
FIVE COTTAGES ON SURF AV-
ENUE WIPED OUT BY FLAMES
None of Them Were Owned by Smyr-
mans Although Edward G. Walls
Cottage Was Near the Fire Area

'NN'ONe5'' GoNoi0 ~ W aus
Cottage Was Near the Fire Area
Smyrnians who summer at Reho-
both, especially those who own pro-
perty there were much concerned over
the fire Saturday night which wiped
out five residences at that resort and
for a time threatened to sweep all
the cottages on Surf avenue. The
cottage of Edward G. Walls of this
town was near the fire area but
fortunately escaped. The fire which
was of incendiary Origin is the second
fire to occur at Rehoboth within a
few months. The confagration Satur-
day was discovered at seven O'Clock
in the cottage owned by Harvey L.
Cooper, banker of Denton, Mary
land. 1t was located on Surf
avenue between Maryland and Olive
avenues. The blaze was discovered
on the outside of the kitchen. 1t
spread with alarming rapidity and
soon gutted the place, together with
nearly all the contents. The cottages
of Mrs. H. G. Pennington, of Will
mington, mother of Robert Penning-
ton, the lawyer, was the next to go.
It adjoins the Cooper property on Surf
avenue. A double cottage owned by
Thomas C. Horsey and DIR. William
E. Wolfe, both of Laurel, Del. on the
other side of the Cooper dwelling, was
likewies destroyed. The cottage of
Henry P. Cannon, of Bridgeville,
Dell, was also burned to the ground.
1t was located in the rear of Mrs.
Pennington's structure. The cottage
of Mrs. James E. Hooper, of Balti-
more, on Surf avenue nearby was
ignited several times. 1t was saved,
although badly damaged.
All the Cottages Were Furnished
All the cottages were furnished.
The furniture of all the houses with
the exception of that in the Cooper
cottage was carried out while the
flames ragged. At ten O'Clock the
blaze was under control. The loss
will exceed SIS, 600 and is partly COW
cred by insurance. The Cooper house
had not been occupied since the latter
part of August. There is no clew to
the incendiaries. A reward will be
offered, as was the case when the re-
cent similar fire occurred, but it is
doubtful if the firebugs will be appre-
ended. The Individual losses are: Mr..
Cooper, SO, 500; Mrs. Pennington,
SO, 500; Messrs. Horsey and Wolfe,
S4, 500; Mr.. Cannon, SO, 500.
Aid Was Quickly Sent From Lewes
In addition to the two chemical en-
gines of the Rehoboth Fire Depart
ment. a chemical engine and a hook
and ladder were brought from Lewes
to fight the flames. The engine was
brought on a special train, the seven
and half miles distance being COW
cred in as many minutes. DR.. Wal
ter Robinson, of Rehoboth, towed the
hook and ladder with his automobile.
He made the round trip with the ap-
paratus on the return journey in fifty
five minutes. The fire attracted fully
five hundred persons from Lewes. and
other nearby places. They all aided
in battling the flames. A moderate
breeze from the northwest was blow
ing when the fire started. Had the
wind been stronger, other properties
would undoubtedly have ignited. A
stable in the rear of DR.. VOLTS cot
tage was also burned. The fire was
extinguished at eleven O'Clock.