Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-13
Manager Discovers Blaze

Manager George L. Woodwork was
The first 10 discover the fire. He awoke
shortly before 3 o'clock, and heard q
strange noise. Upon investigating he
went to the second floor Of the hotel,
where ne found the corridor in the
rear filed with dense smoke. The
fire alarm was sounded about 5.05.
he blasts Of the whistle mingling
with those Of the early morning train,
e. that many people failed 10 hear
tte alarm
The fire department responded
quickly II was found that the fire
was confined 10 the rear part of
the building, and seemed TO have
started on the third floor Of the
building. near the bath room of Room
- Because the fire had probab ]v
beer smouldering for some little time.
/ mao gained considerable headvav.
the flames shooting up between the
partitions. through the floors. as well
as working dOu'nwards.. into the SEE
end floor
After considerable battling work The
tremer attempted TO gain access 10
I2t roof ny way Of the rear fire es-
by me thick smoke Ladders were
pAt W IN place and the crew got onto
the roof, where II was found that the
IRE mad burned up through the two
stories and was beginning 10 break
ihEouFh the roof. Six or eight holes
were cut into the roof. thus allowing
me smoke to 60 through. and to MACE
TIE hose under The roof Several lines
q hose were then placed into the
NOES and The water was plaved jnro
the top Of the building. going down
through the partitions and drowning
out the blaze. After three hours
hard labor the frenen succeeded in
eSunguishlng the blaze. In MANY
places the fire played queer pranks.
going up through the partitions and
net touching anything hut that within
line Of few inches
The front part Of the hotel. incIud-
ihe apartments halls and the dining
room Were not touched Try the fire or
water. the main DAMAGE being The
smoke. The Office of the ho-ol. The
hall leading from The dtuin- room IN
me Kitchen are quite badly flooded.
In the kitchen. tho foo" Was flooded
several inches, and the plasterlrc was
completely removed from this room as
vel as the buffers pantry In tho
heIps part. where the sleeping rooms
are located. everything was completely
covered with water Near the nlara
"here the fire is thought To have been
started, The largest damage is by Wa
lef' the fire being confined to the par
ltions largely.
when the water was put into the
'ol OF the building. il ran down
through the entire rear part of tho
oaldlng and virtually every room
!" mat section is water soaked.
me ground floor of the building Is
ulWoeo INTO two sections, the south
SI"e helne occupied by J. c. Ryrns
r'o'Hier' and the other part by Lawry
,''''hers furniture Co, Most of their
ioSses were caused when the water
iah down through the partitions and
4Nipush the crevices in the steel CELL
9@ storeroom Of Lawry Broth
"nich Is IN the rear OF the main
'"''a'hs was slightly damaged hy
Ne' ana the display rooms of the
S1Hle company which are situated on
liz second floor Of the buiIdipr and
"ilefe the office was formerly loca+a7
unharmed except for being some
"hat smoked
.'eraio Hotel was opened Ia the
pnpHc June T. 1900. having been erect
a. cost estimated at $4,000. The
ia'e Amos F. Gerald huilt the ho+a1
"t1cn was when erected known as one
'He finest hotels in the State !,
as nios' laTshly fitted. the decora-
,.ons IN the main rooms Of the bu;ld-
r pslnf very beautiful. Town clerk
-- d Bradbury of Fairfield was nro.
oi o. the Gerald for eirh, wears
80, lis opening. The erection of tho
-pao was started in the fall ~
-9s'' II being built on the site Of +ha
~ aHnelo House which was moved
r. oin The Main street. in order
hru--. elhe room. Following Mr.. Brad.
! services as proprietor. George
had "oooworth, the present manager
Frsrl, Tor some time, followed nv |
Allen ano F. L. Allen. Mr.. |
becan. was obliged to give up the work
business VI Ill health, but bought the
ma r-asss. having Mr.. woodworh as
e.. is w. MI Allen, the present own
10, mo. now at Seattle, wash and !, IL
to -enat-,n what his plans in regard