New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-22
New Britain Set
Afire by Bombs;
Militia on Guard
Twenty Places in Flames at
Once-Four Arrested
as Plotters

New Britain, Conn, Feb. AFTER
having been swept by a succession Of
fires and small explosions which in
ficted an aggregate damage Of $780,
900 within two hours and half, the
city Of New Britain tonight is under
martial law. Two companies of militia
and as many policemen are guarding
the streets. A dozen buildings, in
cludng two churches, have been de
stroyed.
The blaze is believed to have been of
incendiary origin. The fire departments
of New Britain and four other nearby
towns are doing their best to cope win
the situation, and excited crowds ar"
marching through the streets.
Four men, all of foreign birth, al
ready have been arrested as members
of gang that is believed to have
llotted to wipe out the city.
The fires started simultaneously
shortly after o'clock in the evening.
In practically every instance there "efc
small explosions in easements OF the
buildings. followed by d burst OF names
that spread rapidly TO upper stories Ct
the structures Before 10 o'clock TWEEN
ty alarms cf fire had been sounded from
a many parts Of the city.
While additional fire apparatus was
being hurried from Hartford, water
bury. Bristol and Plainville, 1t was DIS
covered that all of the fires had been
started with an ingeniously devised IN
oendiary bomb. Police say that II Is
= new variety Of bomb, evidently man =
ufactured with the express purpose Oh
spreading infammable liquid.
The bombs were made Of some sor'
Of acid in connection with Riggs hre'
The acid was timed TO drip on WOODEN
bar al such a rate as TO eat ITS way
through within specified time ana
explode other chemicals underneath
At late hour at night the hameS
still were burning, but no new hres
rad been started. The most serious
fires thus far were the ones that re-
suited i'm the total destruction OF Cor
don Brothers wholesale fruit house ana
Hatch's Block. In the former Dulld-
ING a large quantity Of potatoes ana
fresb vegetables were destroyed. The
second building. otherwise known as
"Automobile Row." contained large
numbers Of automobiles OF every make.
Early in the evening Mayor Quigley'
realizing the possibilities Of the situa-
tion. issued a riot call, and Companies
and Of the 1st Connecticut Infantry,
lust back from the Mexican border, re-
sponded. They were put to work pa
trolling the streets and guarding the
remaining buildings against attack.
The soldiers marched with fixed bay
on.ts and under orders TO shoot down
ANYBODY who refused 20 stop when or
! dered to do so and to take into custody
ANYBODY unable to give an account OF
/ his movements. The police and sol
diers were so posted about the city as
, 10 prevent anybody from leaving 1t. As
a consequence, it is thought that mem
bers Of the gang, responsible Tor the
6res will be under arrest by morning.
Chief Rawlings said he was at first
inclined 20 think that all OF the fires
had been set by some fanatic, but on
account Of the rapidity with which the
! flames broke out in widely separated
/ sections Of the city nc declared that no
one man could have covered so wide a
! territory.