The Republican journal., 1917-12-06
A Serious Fire and Heavy
inancial Loss.
The Coliseum, one of Belfast's Largest
Business Blocks in Ruins.

1t is said to have started from an over
heated stove, and the alarm was given
by Benz. Colcord, who occupied the tene-
ment over the Dutch grocery store ad-
joining Both buildings used the same
stairway in the Coliseum building and
the Colcord family, including MIR. and
Mrs Colcord, their son Walter, daughter
Ella and Mrs. Colcord's mother, Mrs.
Ella Drisco of Boston, their guest, were
unable to make their escape from the
burning building Chief S. S. L. Shute
was Just across the street at the Ameri-
can Express office and with assistance
of the first firemen who responded in
stantly to the call, rung in furiously from
box %, corner of Main and Pleasant
streets, placed ladders to the front second
story windows of the Dutch store and
rescued the family. They were more or
less affected by the smoke and the excite
ment. They lost the greater part of their
household goods which were not insured,
In an incredibly short time all the de-
partment was on hand and won the ad
miration of the crowd that gathered, by
the able manner in which thay handled
the blaze that at one time threatened the
business section of the city, its churches
and thickly settled residential section.
1t was one of the most spectacular fires
of recent years. A heavy dense smoke
was driven up Main street by the moder-
ate northeast gale, while flames from the
burning timbers and unusually inflam-
mable contents shot up into the sky scat
tering burning embers and sparks over
the section between Grove cemetery and
what is known as the Reeves woods on
Congress street. At one time it looked
as if the Unitarian church would be ruin
ed, as the sparks showered over the bel
fry and embers lodged in it. The heavy
coating of snow was the only thing that
saved many homes. Many people were
prepared to move out, and the post office
force were notified to come to the office
to move things out if the fire got beyond
the corner of the block. The heat from
the fire was so intense that the buildings
across the street were in danger, and 1t
was necessary to wet them down, also to
keep stream on the big shoe factory of
Leonard & Barrows at the rear of the
Coliseum building. All the available
hose was in use and when the fire steam
er was in action in front of the Howes
block the pumps were started at Little
River. The all out was sounded at 8. 10
D. m, but the firemen watched all night
on the premises and were called at 10 a.
m. and D. m. Sunday to look after a
blaze that sprung up in the ruins of car
pets and quilts These were also smould-
ering at o.45 a. M, Monday, requiring
Good judges place the actual loss at
about S100, 900. The Coliseum was built
in 1884 by the Belfast Coliseum Company
at a cost of S35, 900 and could not be re-
placed to-day for much more than that
sum 1t had brick front and iron sides,
1t was $50 feet long, "a feet wide and
three stories. The first floor and base
ment were not entirely ruined but were
greatly damaged The building is own
ed by Charles w. Lancaster of Belfast
and Ralph L, Pitcher of Caribou. 1t is
understood they carried an insurance of
$4,000 and that they will repair the
building by roofing over what is left.
| The ware rooms of the Home Furnish
ing Company, among the best in the
State, occupied greater part of the
building and their stock was practically
ruined The books showed stock of
about S25, 600, but could not be replaced
for that at the present prices. Every
thing could be found in this store in the
shape of house furnishings, which were
never SO high as now. They were partly
Insured
+ A. P. Pierce, manager of the skating
rink, lost his entire equipment. He esti-
mated his loss at about So, 500 with nc
insurance.
Robert Ward, who recently moved
here from Bangor, buying the Dutch
bowling alleys and billiard room for about
So, 900, lost heavily and at a season when
his business was just at its height.
| Miss Lucena Ide, nurse at the Tapley
hospital, lost valuable furniture stored
there and not insured.
Guy Gray's barber shop was more OF
less injured by smoke and water.
| In the rear basement Charles w. Lam
caster and William White, apple dealers,
had about 300 barrels stored, which will
be repacked and practically saved if not
injured by water.
Arthur N. johnson of Brockton, Mass,
had several hundred dollars worth of his
household goods stored in the building,
which were destroyed and not insured.
Mrs. Marian Hayes Heal had many of
her house furnishings packed there ready
for Grating. They contained valuable
pieces and her loss has not been esti-
mated
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer H. Mason's house
hold goods were stored there and were
destroyed.
Dutch RrotherS estimate their loSS in