New Britain herald., 1924-02-13
TRACE ORIGIN OF
 FIRE TO BERTRAND
Drop OI Gasoline From Draining
 Tank Believed Responsible
HAYES WANTS MORE MEN
Record Personal Tax Payment An ticipatcd--Scarlct Fever situation Improyins-Bristol Club to Hear From Mir. Pierce Tonight.

Origin of the destructive fire on Saturday night at the storage plant Of the Wallace Barnes company on Riverside avenue when loss of $50. 900 was incurred has been traced down by the local police. Joseph Bertrand, 23 years old, of East Road was question: ed this morning at police headauartcrs and admitted that he was draining gasoline from l motor car, which he had bought on February 2 from oMeara Brothers of East Hartford and that an explosion had ensued as he Was under the car. A lighted lan- tern had been given to Bertrand to see his Way about the building as no electric lights were on and it is thought by the police and Fire Chief John H. Hayes that a drop of the gas fell upon the lantern, causing the blaze.
 When the explosion took place, Der trand's clothes were ignited but he extinguished the flames and made 4 rush for the side door of the plant as the front exit was blocked by the roaring furnace of burning motor cars and tractors. He succeeded in opening the door and without stopping 10 in- quire further ran for home. There he attended his burns and since the hre has ben recuperating. The watch man of the plant, Thomas Dineen of south street, assisted Bertrand in put Ink his car in the designated stall and then went to close the front entrance. AS he started to return he was greet ed with sheet of flame. Bertrand was gwen permission to store his car in the plant by an official of the Wallace Barnes Co.
 After the investigation this morn Ing, It was decided to call in Treasur- CT Fuller r. Barnes of the concern and continue the inestigation further. Ber- trand was allowed to go on his own reeognizance until tomorrow, The po- lice think that laxity at the garage in regard to storage should end and in tnis view, they are ably supported by | the Ire department as the same con. 1 ditlons may result in other fires.
 ohief Wants Three More Men
 Three additional men to relieve con. 1 ditions in the fire department are be- | Ing sought by Chief John H. Hayes so that the efficiency Of his depart ment may be maintained. The need of extra men was clearly demonstrated at the big fire on Saturday night nt the storage plant of the Wallace Barnes Co. on Riverside avenue. when the lire apparatus arrived at the scene with too few men to operate inc equipment. Hose company No. had | ohly two men on its pumping outfit and bystanders were called upon to drag hose and otherwise assist fin get. ting water on the flames. The alurm was rung in as the firemen were at supper and consequently with the companies short at best, as only skele. ton companies are maintained in the clty they were woefully shorthanded when the call came. Tho three addI. tlonal men sought by Chief Hayes will give cXtra-shift mon So that meal time hour Will not find the fire companies so utterly unprepared
 Visiting Torrington
 Deputy Grand Exalted Hplar Thomas A. Tracy and q delegation of local lodge members will attend inc meeting of Torrington Lodge Of Elks tonight when Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Frank T.. Coe for Connecticut. West will pay his official visit to inc lodge. Mr. Tracy, who is the cxecu- tive for Connecticut- East has been ,n- vited to attend by Mr. Coe. as his guest.
 schools Honor Lincoln
 Appropriate exercises in honor of Abraham Lincoln were held yesterdav in tho public schools Of the city during Inc afternoon. The city offices closed for the day as did the banks. No special observance was held other. wise.
 Taxes Coming in We'll
 Personal taxes are being paid promptly to Tax Collector Francis R Riley, so that q record for payment is being anticipated hy the collector Due 10 the shifting population. many 1i the names on the lists have resulted In no funds to the city as the affected