The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-03-02
TENANTS IN NORTH
ADAMS BLOCK HAD
NARROW ESCAPE
Overcome BY Smoke in Fire in
DowIin Block
LOSS MORE THAN $4,000
cutted Building Was the Largest
Mercantile Structure in the
City

The most serious fire in North Ad-
ans. Mass, since the burning Of the
Wilson hotel nearly two years ago,
and one of the most destructive in
the entire history Of the city, took
place last evening, when the first
aoor and the basement Of the mann
moth Dowlin building on Main stree.
were Quilted and only the vigorous
and well-direcsed efforts of the entire
IRE department saved /. from complete
destruction. The principal loss was
sustained by Charles A. Rochat, own
err of the Wilson department store,
which occupied the entire first floor
of the building His entire stock, es-
timated in value ut $4,000, was eth
or destroyed by FIRE or ruined by
water and smoke, while the loss to
the building itself will easily reach
the $4,000 mark, making the total
loss as i result Of the fire over S75.-
eco.
The Dowlin building is the largest
structure in North Adams, exclusive
of some Of the factory buildings. and
is unusually imposing as well belng
six stories in height with an orna-
mental front Of white stone, and hay-
ing frontage Of about three humid
red feet on Main street. The Wilson
department store. one of the largest
establishments Of the Kind in west,
orn Massachusetts, occupied practi-
cally the entire first floor and all of
che basement, . small portion OF the
FIRST floor being used by Frank T.
Martin as q stationery store. The
Eve upper floors were used for Office
and residence purposes, some thirty
offices being located in the building
and also apartments for abou. forty
tenants.
The fire was discovered in WI
sons department store at about 9.45
o'clock by a man who was passing
the building. and he lost no time in
giving the alarm. Several OF the fire
companies, together with Chief ii. J.
Montgomery, responded to the call.
but by the time they reached the
scene the flames we're sweeping
through the store and the chief hur-
riedy sounded second alarm, sum
monlns the remaining companies Of
the fire department
The firemen and police men made
heroic efforts 10 rescue the people
from the burning building forcing
their way up the main stairway in
spite OF the thick smoke, and al
though many of the tenants made
their way TO safety by means of the
fire escapes on the rear of the build
ing, ci5rs in their excitement rush
cd down the stairs and attempted 10
reach Main street. Overcome by the
smoke they fell to the
floor and II was only the daring
work OF the firemen and policemen,
who carried them from the building,
that prevented terrible catastrophe.
While the fire was at its height
and great crowds Of spectators had
assembled TO witness the stirring
spectacle. the big plate glass win
dows in the department store blew
out with reports like cannon shots.
scattering splinters of glass in all Il
rections. At the same time The
flames shot nearly across the sroe;.
Fortunately no one was struck by
the flying glass although several per
sons had narrow escapes from seri-
Gus injury. one OF the spectators
happened to be standing on an iron
cover over q coal hole in the side
walk I'm front OF the building, when
an explosion OF some kind blew the
cover off lie was not seriously in-
mred although greatly surprised.
The nearest approach TO q fatal nc
ciden. was the case OF George Fleury
member OF Hose company, No. l.
lie was one OF the fire men who ta-
gethor with the police. rushed into
the burning building and grOped their
way up the main stairs TO rescue tie /
tenants. and was overcome by the
smoke. -Four of his comrades car
ried him from the building For
time Il was thought that his condi |
ton was serious. but he soon recor- |
ered from the effects OF the smoke
Although the exact cause Of ihe /
FIRE has not yet been learned. 81 is
thought that 6. had iis origin in The /
boiler room. which is located IN the /
basement OF the building
Alihoueh the splendid work Of the !
fremen confined the fire 10 The frsi |
foor and The basement. some ui the