New Britain herald., 1926-03-12
FIRE CUTS STORE,
 NEARLY TRAPS>MAN
A. < P. Manager Dashes
 Through Flames to Safety
STOCK IS A TOTAL LOSS
Annual Banquet of Tcn.Year Social Club-Lcgion Auxiliary Whist q Succcss-Mcthodist Church Notes --Lcnten Services This Evening.

Fred Marshall. manager of the Atlantic X Pacific store on West Main street, left his store this morn Ing to go down cellar. When ho re- turned few minutes later he found the entire place in flames and was forced to dash through them to es- cape alive. The fire spread so rap Idly that the store and stock were rulned in spite of the prompt and efficient work of the fire department, which succeeded only in coniining the blaze to the store where it orig mated.
 The fire is thought 10 have been caused by soft coal gas explosion. There is d stove in the store, with q long pipe reaching out toward the l rear wall. While there was no one In the place at the time to positively iiN the exact source of the fire, Mir. Marshall stated that he believed the gas had blown out q connection in this stretch of pipe at a point where 1t passed over rolls of paper and other highly inilammable stuff. The explosion shot the flames all over inc store, so that they were eating into the walls on both sides when Ar. Marshall returned from the eel lar.
 Confronted by room filled with | flames and smoke, MT. Marshall hesitated for a moment and then, since any possible exit through the rear was closed by iron gratings over the windows, he was forced to dash through the burning store to safety. He was scorched about the | fact in his flight.
 An alarm was sent fin at S:oO o'clock and Plainville Hose Co. No. l responded. Chief Edward r. Prior found the store a mass of flames, while dense smoke pouring from the building hampered the fircmcn in their fight. Three lines of hose were quickly laid and the streams turned on the fire with quick results, tho blaze being eXtinguishcd within Is minutes. The frcmen also succeed ed in preventing the flames from spreading to the stores on either side, the barber shop on one hand and Cunningham's restaurant on the other suffering only very slightly from water and smoke which filtered in. They also stopped the fire from eating through the ceiling although lS ,nl ;,, ton.
 The entire stock of the store was destroyed by the fire, while tho store itself was so badly damaged that it will have to be completely rebuilt before it will be available for use again. MT. Marshall was unable to estimate the loss. There was no insurance.
 Legion Auxiliary Whist
 The whist held by the Ladies' auxiliary to Brock Barnes post, American Legion. after the regular meeting last night proved a success | in every way. The prizes were won as follows: Ladies: first prize, buff fct set, Mrs. William Cassidy; second | prize, change purse, Mrs. Clarence i Gustafson; third prize, neck beads, Mrs. J. c. Tanner. Mems: first prize, | c. r, Bockman: sec- | ond prize, necktie, Joseph Fanion.
 Rev. Giffin Leaving
 Rev. William G. Giffin, pastor of , the Methodist church in Forestyillc | has accepted the pastorate of the | Westville NJ. F. church in New JIa- ven, succeeding Rev. Dr. Arthur J. ! Smith. Mr. Giffin has been at the ! l'orestvillG for inc past six years, and his congregation will be sorry to have him leave.
 County Meeting
 Tho Hartford county officials of the American Legion auxiliary will meet at o'clock tomorrow after noon in Legion hall on Whiting | street, Plainvilc. All members of 1 the local unit are urged 10 make an effort 10 attend.
 NJ. F.. Church Notes
 The Epworth league of the Plain vile NJ. E. church will hold a St. Patrick's Day social and entertain ment on Wednesday evening, The 1 public is cordially invited.
 The men of the church decided last evening to give q public turkey
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