New Britain herald., 1923-02-16
Capt. Grove and Lieut..
Hinchey Caught In
Path OF Falling Tim
bers And Are Dug
Out With Difficulty.
Fire Fighters, Hose and
Ladder Encrusted in Ice
Formed by Gale Blowing
at Highest Point in City.

Captain James Grove and Lieuten.
ant Thomas Hinchey OF Engine Com
pany No. 4. of the fire department,
were painfully injured at an early
morning fire that destroyed the top
part of a building on North Burritt
street. owned by the parish OF the
Church OF the Scored Heart OF Jesus
this morning. The building was used
as a convent While the injuries of
the men are not serious, II was only
by luck that they were not badly
hurt, Captain Grove was able to,
continue at the head of his company.
after receiving medical treatment, but
Lieutenant Hinchcy had to be remov-
ed to his home. Both men were bad
ly cut about the face and head, and
Lieutenant iinchey also suffered
from injuries about the body. and
resting comfortably.
:. Buried Under Debris
The collapse of the top part of the
burning structure, which fell outward,
buried the two firemen under the
debris, and ii was necessary for Chief
their fellow firemen as relief corps
to dig them out from under the ruins.
Not in several years have the men,
bers of the department been forced
TO battle with flames under such con-
ditions as prevailed this morning.
With the temperature below the zero
mark, and the wind blowing gale
at this highest point in the city. the
under which tho men work
ed were very trying. Frozen hose and
frozen ladders, ice-coyered few
after the men had started in
to combat the blaze. made their work
perilous.
Alarm at 1852 a. m.
At 1852 a. m. the firemen were
iroused from their berths by an alarm
rom Box 3S. at the corner of Broad
md Alden streets. THE fire was in u
wo and one-half story wooden build
ng used by nuns of the Church of the
sacred Heart of Jesus, across the
treet from the Polish printing es-
ablishment. The property was for
nerly known as the Leonard home
tead
The blaze originated in the cellar,
resumably from an overheated fur
ace. The flames ate into the parti-
ions and up to the attic and when
he firemen arrived, the upper. floor
yas a roaring furnace. Owing to the
errific gale the flames were famed
lto fury Water conditions at that
articular part of the city are such
hat only two lines of hose could be
lid and it was with these and the
id of the pumper that the men set
ut to save whatever was possible.
through hard work, the lower part
the building was saved from fire
amage, although there is heavy
ss occasioned by water.
Nuns in Flight
The e,~ire top part of the building
as gutted, and the furniture and
arsonal effects of the nuns were lost
he nuns were aroused in time to flee
ON the building without assistance.
a few minutes after the water had
zen turned on the building was
othed in ice, and the firemen also
ere covered with ice. Chief Noble
ffered from frozen ears, Comment
g on the conditionN the head of the
,partment said that the conditions
ere about the same as prevailed at
e Russell d Erwin Mfg. Co plant
veral years ago. 1t will be recalled
at 1t was night similar to last
ght, with zero weather existing.
Seen For Miles Around
The sky was brilliantly illuminated
r miles around, a sesident of Berlin
forming Chief Noble today, that the
lection was plainly seen at the pas
nger station in that town.
1t was about o'clock this morning
len the last company left the scene.
lief Noble said that the fact that the
ofs of nearby property were covered
tn blanket of snow and ice, prob
ly prevented more serious con-
grafton. Sparks were carried along
the gale for a long distance,
The loss was estimated at $4,000.
out o'clock this morning, the
emen were given hot coffee and
lch furnised by the Hudson Lunch
:. and Mrs, Leonard, who lives
ross the street from the scene or
; blaze