The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-03-13
Store and a Dwelling at Web
sterville Were Also De
stroyed To-day
LOSS ESTIMATE
AT APss IT $4,000
Wells, La SJn Co. Quarry
Pro " Seriously
Endangered

A fire having its origin in the general
store of Nicholas LaSasso in Webster
vile spread with such rapidity last night
and this morning that the store, the
Palace theatre owned by Odule Gilbert
of Graniteyille, and dwelling house
owned by LaSasso and occupied by the
family of Louis Germaine were complete
ly destroyed. Losses are variously esti-
mated, but it is thought that the aggre-
gate losses will not exceed $4,000. II is
understood that LaSasso carried $4,000
on his store, 81 200 on the dwelling house,
and $1,000 is the amount of insurance.
said to have ben carried by Gilbert on
the Palace theatre. other property,
principally buildings owned by the
Wells-Lamson company, was endangered
by the flames, as high wind prevailed
when the fire was at its height
Appeals for assistance were sent to
the Barre fire department and to East
Barre. There were responses in each in
stance. Chief Gladding got a call at the
local fire station shortly before midnight.
Accompanied by Fireman Peter Purichel-
Ii and John Heney and Alto Mariani of
the call department, the chief went to
Webstervile in two-seated sleigh. The
visiting firemen joined with others in
saving property adjacent to the LaSasso
and Gilbert premises, returning to Barre
soon after o'clock.
Mrs. Joseph Rock and her son. Alton,
who reside across the street from the
LaSasso property, discovered the fire at
ll:4O o'clock. Mrs Rock was awakened
by the urid glare of the flames and after
she had awakened her son. the location
of the blaze was ascertained. Fire was
issuing from the front door and windows
and within few moments after young
Rock had spread the alarm. the store
building was in flames. A whistle at the
Wells Lamson quarry sent its warningN
message over large area in Barre Town.
The booming of the whistle was heard
here in the city.
There Were plenty of men to aid in
lighting the flames. but lack of facilities
lanes confined to the building where
hey originated. Very soon the little
heatre was afre and the Germaine
Iwelling caught within short time
fter the alarm was sounded. Melted
now and two hose lines, the latter from
he Wells Lamson quarry, were factors
n keeping the fire from communicating
o other buildings. The nearest building
o the burned area that escaped the
ames was the house occupied by Daniel
ameron, which is owned by the Wells
amson company Household goods were
amoved from the Cameron dwelling, and
ther persons rapidly followed suit. The
ouse occupied hv Alex Bisset was hur-
edly emptied of its contents and every
fort was made to keep the exteriors
ampened.
The store building was two story
.ructure erected year ago. LaSassos
aneral store occupied all OF the ground
Dor, while the second story was used as
public hall 1t is said that the store
as opened for business Sunday evening,
zen though Sunday opening in Webster
lie, it is stated is prohibited. Gilbert's
alace theatre, motion picture house,
as erected two years ago, 1t was one
ory high and so constructed as TO burn
pldly. Much of the insurance on the
lrned property is carried in the Pape
,ency of this city.
Mr. Gibert's insurance was 81 900 and
figures his loss about 5000 over and
,ove that. He saved his moving picture
achine but lost everything else. He
ans to rebuild his motion picture house
the same lot, possibly little larger,
d will commence the work just as soon
the weather permits.