New Britain herald., 1917-05-10

department took charge of the situa- ton, pending the arrival of New Brit ain aid. Over 2,0O0 feet of hose was laid and the fire pump of the concern started. Volunteers aided in laying the hose, in removing the household furnishings and directing the work of rescue. This had hardly been com- pleted before the New Britain aid ar- rived
 The dense smoke, news of the fire and sight of city fire apparatus mal1- ing high speed down the towns sti1oroushfares attracted a large crowd. sroiunteer assistanca4 was plentiful. Autoists on their way along the state highway stopped and assisted. Mem 4bers off company of First Connecti- cut Infantry, detailed to the guard ing of railroad bridges in Berlin and vicinity. were speedily on the scene, aided in the removal of household goods from the doomed building, in ! rescuing children, quieting the almost hysterical Mrs. Delldonna and in maintaining improvised fire lines as well as aiding the New Britain fire lighters in laying hose, repairing , broken sections of hose and breaking down parts of the building where there !: were smouldering embers.
 Mrs. Delldonna was unable to give an explanation as t0 the cause of the ] fire. having completed the morning work in the upper chambers and be- 1 ing engaged in the kitchen when :, shouts of ncighbors informed her that ] the roof end upper part of her home were in flames. Aided by neighbors, l she was enabled to remove her small children and valuable household be- . longings from the house.
 ,; Because of the proximity of other dwelling houses. the ineffective work of volunteer workers and the threat ened spread of the flames, word was telephoned to New Britain fire head quarters. the request being made that aid be sent and the understanding given that there was an adequate water supply. Chairman Babcock re- ceived the message, conferred with Chief Robert M. Dame and authorized the sending of Engine Co. No. l to the scene. Assistant Chief Noble, acting chief because of it being Chief Dame's day off, was sent in charge of the detail. Chief Dame remained at headquarters until the detail again reported lon duty" /> Arrival of the professional re-en-
 forcementS found the building more than half destrofed, seething fur
 mace of flames Kvfth the wel1-seasoncd woodwork burning fierceiy. Quick in-
 vesIigation showed that 1t would be
 impossible to secure water from the
 railroad pond. the drop and dis
 tance making it impossible to use
 hose without collapse, even with the
 artificial aid ofsa motor pump. Hose
 for nearly 2,OOO feet, had been laid from the plant of the American Paper
 Goods company, and, after some diff
 fculty, was connected with the line
 laid by the New Britain firemen. But
 hardly had the connection been made
 and the pump started than there wal
 a. bursting of a length of the fac.
 tory line. A makeshift hitch wal
 made and one feeble water lins
 poured on the flames. But, almos as soon as results were noted, there
 was another f1attening of the fac tory hose and another absense .oi
 water. The New Britain firemer icould only stand by helpless, not efforts go to waste or try to repai,
 the supply hose. 1t was an >effectiy,
 lesson in factory preparedness
 Assistant Chief Noble and his mer remained on the scene until the build : . ing had fallen into mass of glow
 ing embers and there was no furthe danger for adjoining buildings.
 Annual Ban.--aet May 2s.
 . At meeting of the Kensingto, :. Mems I.yccum held in the congrega , ] tional church last evening the mem . l11ara dAridAd that the, annual ha nnnA