Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-06-12
20 Buildings Destroyed
With Half Million Loss
From Fire Nahant, Mass.
Area Half Mile Long and Quar-
ter Mile Wide Flame-Swept
Timely Arrival Boston
Fireb0at Saves Bass Point
Only One Hurt in Forced
Flight of 200 Clad in Night
Clothes-Cigarette Stub Be.
lieved Origin of Blaze

Nahant. Mass, June 11-(AP)-
This little seacoast resort, home of
the late Senator Lodge and adjoining
Swampscott, where President Cool
idge will make his summer home, to-
night viewed a scene of desolation
where fire today destroyed seventy
buildings. Driven by a strong shift-
ing wind the flames cut a swath
across the top of Castle Hill at Bass
Point, nearly half mile long and at
some places almost a quarter mile
wide. The damage was placed rough
ly at half a million dollars. OF the
buildings burned large proportion
were year-round residences.
Only the timely arrival of a Bos-
ton f1reboat prevented a disaster
which might have engulfed the entire
beach resort on the Bass Point side Of
Nahant. The fire quickly swept be-
yond control Of the little local fire
department, which attempted to fight
the flames with water drawn from
four inch mains laid down forty
years ago. Lack of water also ham,
Boston fireboat made the long trip
here in 50 minutes. Soon two 100
feet lines of hose were delivering
5000 gallons Of sea water minute
and in three quarters of an hour the
fire was under control.
Only one man was severely injured
and there was no loss of life although
more than 200 persons were forced to
flee from burning homes clad only in
night clothing.
The origin Of the fire, about 2:40
A, NJ, In the Winthrop Club, may
never be ascertained, it was said. Po-
lice and fire chiefs believed smould-
ering cigarette stub might have
started the flames.
Elton Dusseault, forced to jump
from the roof Of a house on which ne
was helping fight the flames, suffered
n broken arm and other injuries.
Otherwise injuries were confined 10
slight burns suffered by residents as
they made their way from Dlazhs
houses, and, slight cuts and bruises
sustained by firemen.
Private and organized charity to-
night was providing relief to scores
of persons who lost all their property
and belongings. The Red Cross. SAL
walton Army, and the board OF sell
ectmen organized relief stations
which furnished food and clothing:
Business firms from Lynn rushed
food. trucks, teams, men and clothing
to the scene and moved free OF charge
the few belongings saved.
The winthrop Club, in which the
fire started, was in the rear OF the
RELAY House. This hotel, however.
was saved, as was the Bass Point
House. Driven northward for time,
the flames destroyed few cottages
Then the wind shifted. While ponce-
men and milkmen spread the alarm
the breeze, blowing strongly south
ward. swept all before it, even TAX
ing furniture which some residents
thought was moved to safety. Losses
among the townsfolk were heavy. one
ged resident wept as he surveyed
theruins of his little home. One call
fireman, Richard c. Croker. was
forced to leave his own burning nome
to man a Pumping engine. Whlie
he was gone the flames levelled MS
house. 4.
investigation was at once begun TO
determine the cause Of the fire. Town
officials today declared their inten-
ton of replacing the antiquateo
water system with large mains
throughout the district.