The Republican journal., 1919-07-03
"A Disastrous Fire at Northport.
he Northport Inn in Ashes and other
Damage Difficult to Estin,sre


Damage Difficult to Estimate
Inc Northport Inn, the Association store
buildings and Frank Hackett's earage
were totally destroyed by fire last Satur-
DAY IN an hour from the time the alarm
was given, There was strong uortheast
breeze blowing and only concerted and
efficient fire fighting prevented general
contiagratlon of the entire resort as MANY
OF the cottages are only a few feet apart
and the streets are narrow Five people
arrived from Boston Saturday morninp To
open the Inn under the direction nf it's
lessee Mrs. M. A Andrews of Somervile,
Mass, who planned to come down Tues
day. They had been burning waste and
papers left at the lower windows during
the winter and did not realize the strong
draft of the fireplaces and of the kitchen
range. About 5 p, N. Mr.. c. O. Dickey
and Mrs. Hattie W. Whiting discovered
lire on the roof Of the Inn and MI Dicaey
at once called out the Northport depart
ment and also telephoned to Belfast for
assistance. Chief Shute with a large
crew of 1lremen took down the gasoline
engine, the hook aud ladder truck and
other apparatus. Nothing could have
saved the Inn as flames were bursting
from the upper stories when the local
men ran to the rescue. The help lost all
their clothes except what they stood in.
All its furnishings were destroyed except
a little Oh the ground floor. The store
is also a total loss; also good garage, in
the rear of the Inn, owned by Frank
Hackett of Waterville. The roof of the
cottages owned by II. Z. Collett and Mrs
S A. Fellows of Bangor were badly in
jured. The WaquoiJ ana White Rock
Hotels caught on the roofs also the cot
tages of Walter Mahoney and Mrs Myra
Ferguson,
The store Of G. o. Dickey was seri-
ously threatened, catching fire several
times. The most Of the post office equip
ment and other contents were moved out
and considerably damaged. Mr.. Dickey
Says his loss will be 5000 or S700.
Mr. W. Franklin Burnham, who owned
the Inn, eStln ated his loss at about S25,
0OU with about $4,000 insurance The
store was valued at about S 00b and IN
sured for $500. Mr.. Hackett S loss was
about $500. The loss Of the beautiful
shade trees in the vicinity of the fire can
not be estimated in dollars, but Is a
serious one.
The Madison Boys Band did very e1fec-
tive work in assisting to keep tie roof of
the nearby cottages wet and i'll I9moving
furniture, saving large amount of valu-
a BILE property. The Belfast engine was
placed on the wharf and had the bay to
draw from. Chief Shute. Belfast fire
men and several Northport men renamed
on the grounds all night as there was
danger from sparks. Two barrels Of tar
in the store cellar caused additional
smoke. About six years ago Mr., burn
ham bought the house, it was three stories
and had sixty guest rooms with broad
porches. The location was ideal for a
summer resort with fine views and only a
short walk from the shore. Mr.. IN
ham expended about $40, 600 IN lmpro ve-
ments including hard wood furnishings.
private baths, etc. He arrived to attend
the Inuuest which was held at the Coul-
/ try Club at $50 a. II. Monday uncer the
( Czl i /
/ Charles O. Dickey, chief of po ice and
! agent for the Village Corporation. The
/ help were detained for witnesses and
/ gave their names as follows; Mrs, Mary
/ Green and W. H. Green, tco.ored,) Mr..
! and Mrs. John Rogan, Boston; Mrs. c. F..
! Detmars, Somervile. 1t was found that
the fire was caused by over heated
chimmeys and sparks on the roof and that
report will be forwarded to the fire COM
missioners. The Inn will probably be
rebuilt.
The journal is pleased to print the fol-
lowing card:
We wish to express our grateful thanks
to the Belfast Fire Dept for the service
they stood ever ready to render at all times
and for their work in trying to save
Northport Inn; we also feel deeply obi
gated to each Individual who assisted in
trying to save the furnishings. The loss
is a severe one for us to bear, but we feel
grateful there was no loss of life, and for
years we shall cherish the acqI aintances
formed and friendships made
Ever grateful,
W. FRANKLIN BURNHAM,
L,I RI111