The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1915-09-03
STATE FIRE LOSS
TOTALS s4,364,l95
1923 BLAZES AFE REPORTED DUR
ING FISCAL YEAR IN
WISCONSIN,.
CARELESSNESS Is SCORED
Statistics Show the Necessity of Hav-
ing Wiring Done by Competent
EIectrican-Fire Proven
ton Urged.

ing wiring lone py ComPetSnt
EIectrician-Fire Proven
ton Urged.
MadiSOn.-The report of the state
fire marshals Office for the last fiscal
year says that during the year there
were 3,123 fires reported and a total
loss of $4,364 ,195.
Two thousand and twenty-eight fires
were in dwellings and barns doing
damage OF $2,323.415; so that about
two-thirds of the total losses occurred
in buildings housing human beings
and domestic animals. In such fires
many lives arc sacrificed annually on
the altar of carelessneSS. The report
refers to a defective fireplace in
summer cottage at Lake Delavan
children lost their lives.
I'VE are mOmentarily shocked at
such news, then forget all about 1t
and neglect the cause" says the re-
port. Continuing it says:
Analysing the causes Of these fires
closely, we find that 769 fires, causing
p loss Of $1,059,770, were due to de-
fective heating plants, boilers, fur
naces, stoves, fireplaces, stovepipes.
hot-air pipes, smokestacks, chimneys
and sparks from the last two named.
This department has often called at
tention to the proper and safe install
lation of heating plants, the proper
construction of chimneys, and the
necessity of cleaning these out regu-
larly.
There are two lightning losses on
rodded buildings, with loss of $500.
and 334 on buildings not rodded, with
a loss Of $464,240. This record again
emphasizes in the strongest manner
the efficacy Of lightning rods, when
properly installed.
"Eighty-four fires, causing loss OF
$148, 245, were due to defective electric
work and installation, again showing
the necessity of having all such work
done by competent and reliable cleo
trician.
children playing with matches
fire loss of $74.150. Carelessness Of
grown up children with matches, and
mice and matches caused ISL fires
and loss of $1O7,975.
Smokers carelessness caused six
ty-six fires and a fire loss Of $78,930.
Cleaning with gasoline and sundry
gasoline explosions caused sixty fires
and fire loss of $92,415, showing the
great necessity of proper storage, han
ding and use of this most dangerous
of all inflammable liquids
Kerosene lamp, lantern and stove
explosions caused lit fires with loss
Of $84,970, showing clearly that kero-
sene likewise is not free from dan
ger
these fires, or at least the large
majority of them, and the consequent
fir, waste could have been prevented
had proper care been exercised"
Building Code Effective September 20.
Wisconsin's building code as revised
and adopted by the industrial COM
mission and published August 81 be-
comes effective in it's revised form
September 20. The code will be pub
lished in pamphlet form for distribu-
ton by the commission.
It applies throughout the state, to
the smaller cities and villages as well
as to the larger ones. It's administra-
tion and enforcement is to be carried
out largely through local officers, fire
chiefs. buildings inspectors, ETC., so
that the cost for inspection will be
kept at a minimum
The code covers nearly every mag
Unable kind Of building construction,
except private residences, fiat build
than two families, buildings used for
agricultural purposes outside cities
and villages and temporary buildings
or sheds used for construction pur-
poses only. It does not limit, how
ever, the power of municipalities to
regulate building by more stringent
provisions. 1t prescribes rules for the
installation of boilers and furnaces,
smoke pipes, steam pipes, hot air
pipes, electrical work, lights and roof
coverings; lays down requirements for
Office. mercantile and factory build
ings; provides safety regulations for
elevators and the installation Of fire
prevention service
State HorticuIturists Meet.
The annual midsummer meeting of