New Britain herald., 1922-02-17
CHURCH ST. STORE
 VISITED BY FIRE
Washington Street Business Place / Also Has Blaze During Night

\ fire of q mysterious origin in the Army and Navy store in the Rogers Recreation building on Church street, did damage estimated by the proprie- tor at sb,oo0 last night,
 shortly after II o'clock John T, Iicnnessey, who was passing the place saw smoke issuing from the store. and he turned in an alarm from Box l4, bringing the entire city fire depart ment with the exception of Engine Company No. to the scene.
 More smoke Than Fire.
 The first impression gained was that q bad fire was in progress, but when the 'lremen gained access to the store. il was discovered that the blaze was slight one. but which caused much smoke. The flames were at the rear Of the store, and started among a pile Of cases containing rubber boots and some other apparel, 1t was quickly eXtingnished. but the smoke was so dense, that the stock of the store suffered heavily,
 Sergt. Hart Investigating.
 This morning Detective Sergeant William C, Hart began an investiga- tion of the circumstances surrounding the fire. From Albert s. Hoffman. one of the proprietors. it was learned that the store was closed shortly after 9 o'clock by Raymond Hoffman, his brother. Everything was in proper condition at that time, he told the police. He then went 10 Meriden. where he resides. Raymond Hoffman told the sergeant that he looked around the place before locking if up. He was told of the fire while in bed a short distance away from the scene, shortly after midnight,
 Can't Blame Wiring.
 As there is no electric wiring near where the fire started. the theory of d defect in wiring Is not applied. It is the impression that a lighted cigarette butt or cigar may have been tossed on the floor earlier in the eve ming. In hall outside the door where the blaze originated many persons have an occasion to pass during the night. A sizable opening under the door was found this morning by Will liam s. Brennecke, an employe of Mir. Rogers. This creyice was sufficient to allow a cigarette or cigar to roll in side
 The plaster on the ceiling. and the casing around the door, suffered the most damage. while water also played an important role in totaling the above damage.
 Little Damage to Building
 Mir. Rogers estimated that the dam age to the building will amount to a few hundred dollars. The Hoffman brothers have only recently added heavily to the stock and some new fixtures were erected within the past month The store is insured for s6,ooo, Albert s. Hoffman said today
 Herald Fire Recalled.
 As the members of the Herald staff looked out of the windows today, the thoughts of that memorable morning last November when the rav- ages of flames had destroyed the old newspaper home were recalled. It was in a store two doors east of last nights fire that the Herald employees were HouSeu LOT SeNe eIdl IliOlllIlS, W Illlt the present Herald home was being made ready.
 Small Fire in Store.
 The fire department was called out at 730 o'clock last night from Box 37 10 237 Washington street. where a blaze of suspicious circumstances was found going in a small store owned by M. Weinstein. The damage at this fire amounts to about $100. The The fireman found the place locked, and the proprietor was not to he found. Sergeant William C. Hart to- day commenced an investigation into the blaze.