Smyrna times., 1921-08-03
SHAVINGS SPREAD FIRE IN
MILFORD AT LOSS OF $4,000
SEVERAL BUILDINGS CAUGHT
BUSINESS SECTION IN DANGER
Smyrna Firemen Summoned and Has
tened With Engine But Were Turn
ed Back After Reaching Dover

The town of Milford had a severe
fire scare Thursday morning about 10 |
o'clock, when fire of an unknown |
origin completely destroyed the g.
story frame building known as the |
shirt factory, practically ruined 2
story frame building across the road |
and partly burned a one-story build |
ing nearby. The shirt factory was
also used as a storage house by a
hardware firm. The fire companies
from Georgetown, Glendale, Harring-
ton and Dover responded to the call
for assistance. The Smyrna company
who were on the way, were halted at
Dover, as the fire had been gotten un-
der control by the Milford and Har-
rington companies after hard work.
Several other buildings in the vicinity
of the fire were ablaze on several oc-
casions, but by the vigilance of the
fire laddies, were saved from serious
damage, although the roof of the Hotel
Windsor had several large holes
burned in it. Estimates of the dam
age sustained shortly after the fire
were that the sum would reach $685.
900. The Dover hose company, with
its new Ahrens-Fox truck, stood in
readiness to render assistance, but
their services were not used. They
made the run to Milford, including de-
tours, in so minutes.
Sparks From Blacksmith Shop Cause
Belief was prevalent that shaving
sparks blown up the chimney by en-
ployes in the blacksmith shop at
Railroad avenue and Second street,
were wind-swept across the avenue to
the roof of the shirt factory, owned by
Thomas Baxter,a two-and-a-half story
structure, which first started burning
at 8 o'clock. Flames quickly spread
through all sections of this building,
which covers a quarter of a block ,and
burning embers were carried by the
strong wind to other buildings nearby
including Grange Hall, across Second
street, which were seriously damaged.
The principal losses were:
Thomas f. Baxter, owner of the de-
stroyed building, $4,000.
Grange Hall Company, owner of
Grange Hall, $4,000, protected by in
surance carried in the Changers Mu-
tual Insurance Association.
Pierce Hardware Company, machin-
cry stored in the Baxter building, de-
stroyed, $4,000, no insurance.
Harry Iindale, -four and feed mer-
chant, occupying part of the Baxter
building, S25OO, $500 insurance.
William V. Sipple, marble yard, of
flee damaged, $500, insured.
Milford Storage Battery Company
occupant of the Baxter Building, So,
500, no insurance, old automobile!
worth a few hundred dollars and /;
consignment of 100 batteries, valued
at S2500, being destroyed, valuabl
cars, in storage for repairs, havin!
been saved.
The entire equipment of the Chris
tian Science Church, which occupie
Grange Hall, and all the property o
Garfield Post, No. Z, G. A. R., anOthe
occupant, excepting the flags, highl
thought of by the veteran warrior.
which were saved from the flame!
were destroyed.
Other losers were Dorsey Bower
Howard Sapp, Mark Davis, Williar
Webb Garage proprietor), the HotC
Windsor, the National Hotel and
number of others, whose building
were on fire at different times.
Grave Situation as Help Was Gale
The firemen soon realized that the
had a grave situation to meet an
calls for assistance were sent to othe
towns, firemen going from Dover, Mi
ton, Lewes, Smyrna, ,Ellendale, George
town, and Harrington. They all di
good work and prevented a disastrou
sweep Of the flames. The fire We
under control by 10 o'clock, but col
tinued to shoulder for several hour
Burning embers and sparks were ca
ried by the wind, but a row of larl
maple trees along the edge of Il
Mispillion river saved North Milfol
from a separate fire. Draper
Hihsch's canning factory, one of Il
largest business establishments
town, located opposite the Baxt
Building, was one of the places igni
ed several times by flying embel
The company's employees, with hos
saved the property. Harry Hills re
taurant, North Walnut street, W
also on fire, but was saved, as W
also the millinery store of Miss Liz
Stidham in the same building, b
both sustained water damage. T
Masonic Hall stable and garage in t
rear of the Masonic Hall, facing
Front street, caught fire as did al
the stable of DR.. R. Y. WatsC
Neither was damaged much. Slig
damage was sustained at the CARA
of DIR. Paul Poetschre, on the oppos
side of the river, quarter of a m
from the original fire, and the fenci