New Britain herald., 1917-02-24
Private Citizens C., tribute to Fund Spur on Search Incendiary.
FIRE IN MEEHAN
 BLOCK WAS

Police Satisfied Blaze in Lafa
 Street Building Was Not Accid4
 Search for Fire Fiends Cont
 But Clues Are Scarce-Masked
 Hunt Fails to Bring Results
 Girl Expresses Doubts About Vi
 Five thousand dollars reward information leading to the arrest conviction of the person or per responsible for setting the seven cendiary fires which threatened heart of the city on Wednesday ming was offered by pri citizens and officials thrd Mayor George A. Quigley 2 o'clock this afternoon. Already mayor has issued such a formal clamation and posters advertising offer of reward are being whirled the printing presses for circulatio this city and throughout this, neighboring states.
 Mayor Quigley was in long con ence this morning with other city f1cials and prominent, public spir citizens and these people, whose na are withheld at their requests with mayor personally have guaran{ the sum of $5,OOO for such infor} tion as will lead to the detection punishment of any person or pers who were connected with what mi have been a holocaust only nights ago.
 Mcchan Fire Inccndiary.
 Escaping the finger of general picion, both at the time and si then, because there was Q lack Of dications to suggest incendiarisn| the initiated, it is believed that fire responsible for heavy damage| the Lukc Meehan block at 28-3O fayette street the night of Februl 12 was due to the sinister torch| New Britain's maniac "firebu Everything connected with the M the seven Wednesday night. It become known that an unidenti1 man was seen to run from the eel entrance to the Meehan building i before the alarm was given. The scription of the man tallies, in main, with that of the man seen r, ming from the scene Of Wednesi nights fires. He was being fool for days prior to this weeks re of terror.
 The Meehan fire originated in cellar Of the building. :,ll tho m Inysteri ously because there was furnaces or other legitimate aonr Of possible trouble Located there.
 Although officials arc retioent. is definitely known that the Neg. fire i5 classified as unquestionubly incendiary origin and of the sa type as those of Wednesday n.a Acting on this belief, there are number of authorities who look numerous moro fires of tho sa type locally, unless the one resp, sible is discovered.
 Big Force OF Duty Tonight.
 Chief of Police William J. Rawi!l has directed every available mem of the department, superrulnernl included, excepting the members the day relief, to report for duty night. The same rigid reguiati, will prevail, as formerly. Extra p cautions will be taken to guard public buildings and otl localities especially inviting to ''firebug" and whose destruct would be tragedy for the city.
 Meter inspectors, telephone c ployes and others having occasion enter the cellars of homes and bui ings are taking great precautions inform tenants of their presence fore beginning work. It is belie' that one of these visitors, instead someone with a sinister motive. V for the fright of fourtt years old Helen Corbat at 49 Dev street yesterday and her story of visitor. To her father l night, she admitted that she V highly nervous and thought she a mask.
 The authorities are apparently nearer solving the mystery or Of ms ing an arrest than they were vest day. The city has been abnornia quiet since the militia co panies were withdrawn.
 An overloaded stove igniting clu ing hanging behind it is credited " being responsible for fire at the no of Joseph Posco on the third floor the apartment building at Il Br' street this morning at SIPS o'cio The clothing was charred and wo work back of the stove scorched. is estimated that the damage Will exceed $25. There was an alarm IT Box s7 at Broad and Beaver stre Engine Companies l, 5, ana " Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 respond Chemicals were sufficient to check trouble.
 That the nerves of many are stiil the ragged edge" is indicated in