New Britain herald., 1923-01-18
POLICE INVESTIGATE | MAIN STREET BLAZE
Overturned Kerosene Stove and OiI.Soaked Sweater Discovered
LOSS IS PUT AT Si0,O00
Fire Ihres -- BIock at Corner oI Mat" ar dissss,.e..eui is.s,. s,.... s5.... ''r'e'i Hsrtfo,yspt " second Alaar, Com

A fire, which for Q time ass- threatening proportions caused dam age estimated today by Chief William J. Noble at slo.o00 in the block at the corner Of Main and Lafayette streets last night. A double alarm brough, out most Of the apparatus in the city. The building Is owned by Mycr Zinman, and occupied by J. Birnbaum and Gitlitz Brothers. in the dry goods and clothing business The structure is wooden affair, covered with sheet iron. At the re- quest of Chief Noble Detective Ser geant Matthias Rival is investigating the fire. which has some suspicious aspects.
 Heavy Water Damage Volumes of dense smoke were issu- ing from the windows Of the second floor when shc firemen arrived. The fire seemed to be at It's worst at this time at the rear of tho second floor which is occupied by J. Birnbaum The flames ate upward through the partitions. Splendid work by the fire department kept the flames con- fined to this particular part Of tho building. Oceans of water wal cmpticd into the building. and through this the greater part of tho damage was done to the stock oi Birnbaum and the Gitlitz Brothers and also to the tenement occupied b, the Feingold family above the Birn' baum store. It was at $40 o'cloct when the last of the fire fighters Ter the scene, although the recall wa sounded about an hour earlier. Police on Case.
 l In going over the place later, Chic Noble found an oil heater near tht spot where the fire is supposed tt lave. started. The stove was over turned, and near it was found sweater soaked with oil. Chic Noble pointed these out to Sergeant! George Ellinger and Michael J. Flynn and the stove and sweater were turned over to Supernumerary To liceman Peter Skierkowski, who tool them to the police station.
 | At the time when the fire was a it's height, a young girl named Fein gold. who lives on the top floor of tn building, became hysterical, and nat to be assisted from nearby. roof ' the street by f1remen.
 Sergeant Rival reported this after noon that there are no developmehu | in the case as yet.
 Who Rang In Alarm?
 There is some dispute as to wht rang in the alarm. William Walsn' clerk in the Mohican Market, tolc Chief Noble that he saw a clothing | dummy" in the second story window ] of the building with flames playing about it. He thought it was human heinz, He also saw smoke pouring from different windows and says tha he sounded an alarm from Box 4 at the corner of Main and East Malr l streets.
 Miss Elvira Fancher, member Q Troop Girl Scouts, connected witf the First Congregational church, wa awarded a merit badge of the secont class at an assembly of Girl Scout! 1 last evening for ringing in the alarm
 As soon as Chief Noble reached tht scene he directed Traffic Officer Johr Liebler, to turn in a second alarm This brought all the apparatus Acep ] Engine No. 5, which was housed a the central fire station on Commer' cial street.
 Because of the proximity of tho fire, no one was permitted to enter the Palace 'theater until 7:15 when i was seen that there was no further danger.
 The members of the fire department are today expressing their gratitude to the management of the Presto Lunch room for the hot coffee served Hast night during the fire.