Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-10-15
Tire and Plumbing
Shop Destroyed
CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE
WIRIN c. FIRE DEPART
MENT PRAISED .

A fire, which is believed to have
been caused by defective ring, de-
stroyed beyond salvage the building
occupied by the Tire and Battery
Service Station and the local plumb
ing shop at about o'clock Wednes-
day morning, together with the con
tents. The flames were discovered
by F. M. Godfrey. proprietor of tn J
shoe shop two doors away from the
destroyed building, who gave the
alarm, Members of the Orofino
Volunteer Fire department responded
quickly and with much difficulty
quenched the flames. which had al
ready spread over the greater por-
tion of the building, and had
reached the undertaking parlors,
frame building less than foot away
and were menacing the residence of
Ed. Donath, another frame building
situated less than five feet away
from the destroyed building.
l.. H. Davis. proprietor of the Tire
and Battery Service Station esti-
mates his loss at $500 which was
covered by $500 in insurance. Mr..
Eichenberger, the plumber, estimates
his loss at about $500 and carried
no insurance. The building, which
is owned by U. s. Mix. was covered
by $500 in insurance and-the loss is
estimated at $4,000.
Damage to the undertaking estab-
lishment was confined to number
of shingles and some siding, the loss
being estimated at less than 800
while the residence of Mr.. Donath
escaped with scorches.
H. F. Ripley, fire chief. and others
connected with the department, stat
ed that the fire had started in the
ceiling of the building. which led
them to believe the cause was due to
defective wiring. The flames dam
aged the lead telephone cable of the
Clearwater Telephone Company.
They melted one side or the lead
cable and burned the insulation off
of so pairs of lines. causing short
circuits As result the phones in
the south end of town will be out
of commission until the cable is re-
paired.
The Orofino Volunteer Fire Depart
ment has been the su sJect of much
praise coming from numerous sourc-
es as regards their effort In saving
the adjoining buildings. IN apprecia-
tion of this service Mr.. Donath has
rendered the department n check for
500. which as will be seen by the
following resolution. will be used to
help purchase an electric alarm for
the city. The resolution was passed
Mt a meeting held Wednesday night
by the fire department, when Mr.
Donath presented i've checR. follows:
Whereas. Mr.. Ed Donath has
seen fit TO present to the Orofino
Fire Department check for One
Hundred Dollars to show his appre
citation OF the efficient work done by
the department at the fire Wednes-
day morning.
Be 1t Resolved. that the fire de-
partment accept Mr., Donath's gift
with thanks and assure Mr.. Donath
that the Orofino Fire Department
this kindness as much as
Mr.. Donath appreciates the work or
the department.
And Be It Resolved that this
money be used as a foundation for
n fund to be created to purchase an
electric fire alarm system for the
city of Orofino which will be pro-
lection for each and every home
property owner and business estab-
lishment in the city and that the
money is to be used for that purpose
only"
Signed.
H. F. Ripley, Chief
John Oud. Secretary
w. r. Bennell, Treasurer
Committee.