New Britain herald., 1925-06-11
Bremen From Lynn, Salem And Swamp scott Called Out And Boston Fireboat Also Sent to Rescue.
Policeman Discovers Blaze and Warns Sleeping Cot tagers-Accurate Check up on Buildings Burned Incomplete

Nahant, Mass, June il CH-sixty- eight houses were destroyed by a fire early today after flames broke out in young mems clubhouse near the Relay house on Colby hill, above Bass Point. This figure was accent ed as the number destroyed after of- ficers of a gas company had made careful check of their property. It did not, however, include various garages and outbuildings that were destroyed.
 There was no accurate estimate az to the monetary loss caused by the fire, but 1t was believed 1t would reach $45ooO0 or more. It was pointed out that many of the houses were occupied the year round, al- though some were summer cottages of an inexpensive type.
 Big Residences Spared
 The flames started near the Relay house, which was not damaged. At first 1t was feared the fire would spread to a section of imposing residences but the wind shifted and blew the flames south to houses Of more modest type. Town officers were unwilling to set an estimate on the average value of the cot tages destroyed but one man lost five which he valued at $40,000. A woman lost two houses and out buildings valued at s100,000.
 An area between quarter and half mile long and about 800 yards wide was swept by the fire. The houses sat at the top of hill about quarter of mile from the sea, but directly in the line Of the breezes that blew off the ocean.
 The houses burned were in the vicinity of Garden road, Trimoun tain road and Bayview avenue.
 Fire Boat Helps
 Arrival of a Boston f1reboat was believed largely responsible for checking the flames as it was inn possible to obtain enough water through the four inch mains to stop their spread. The fire boat pumped salt water up to the fire men from Lynn, Salem and Swamp scott who were fighting the fire.
 One home destroyed was that of former State Senator Cabot John son. It was valued at s20,00o.
 The cottages burned were on Colby Hill which rises above Bass Point. Three of the buildings burn ed were known to be lodging houses and it was said that IS of the houses were occupied the year around.
 Lucky Shift in Wind
 The shift in the wind was be- lieved to have enabled many per- sons to escape unharmed. A police man discovered the fire and turned in an alarm. Then he ran to awaken the residents in cottages to ths north where the fire seemed spread ing. Persons living in the cottages to the south also were awakened and were out of their homes before the wind shifted and destroyed their houses.
 Only One Injured
 So far as could be learned only one man, Elton Dussault. was hurt. He broke his arm when he fell while trying to put out the fire on his fathers roof.
 The origin Of the fire was unex- plainedr It started in Winthrop cottage. used as a clubhouse by 2 group of boys and young men. It was not believed that more than two or three were in the building at the time and they could not be found today. Their names were not known 10 the police.
 Many persons moved their fur1li- lure from their homes but were un- able 10 get it away from the path of the flames and 1t was destroyed along with the houses.
 An accurate check on the number Of cottages destroyed had not been made this morning. A representa- tive of The Associated Press count ed foundation Of 70 buildings thal had been burned, but could not de termine whether all Of them wer cottages or part of them garaSe and outbuildinGs.
 Area of Fire
 The area burned extended for about an eighth of a mile. The cot tages were built close together and breeze from the ocean sent the flames skipping from one roof to another. A Boston fire boat drew up to a new government wharf sna gave valuable aid in fighting tn flames.
 Nahant juts out into the sea bs tween Lynn and swampseott, and is visible from White Court where President Coolidge will spend tho summer. The burned cottages, how ever. were on the other side ef ths town