Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1926-01-02
Condagraton Of Tuesday Last
Sweeps Heart OF States
Summer Resort
POCOMOKE FIRE COMPANY
HELPS FIGHT BIG BLAZE

A disastrous fire visited Maryland's
only seaside resort, Ocean City, last
Tuesday, laying waste property val
ued at between $30O,OOO and $400,-
900.
The buildings destroyed were the
Power plant, Seaside Hotel, Atlantic
Hotel, the Pier, the Casino, the build
ing containing the flying horses, and
the candy-making establishment ad-
joining.
The fire broke out in the Power
plant and was communicated by q
strong north west wind to the other
buildings named above. All these be-
ing frame structures were soon en-
veloped in flames.
Ocean City's fire fighting depart
ment when called to the rescue was
found to be in such condition as to
make it practically useless. Aid was
summoned from nearby towns-Poco-
moke City, Salisbury, Princess Anne,
Berlin, Snow Hill, and Laurel, Del,
and these were instrumental in pre-
venting much larger spread of
flames.
Holes had to be cut in the ice of the
Bay to secure water, and the amount
of hose necessary to reach from the
bridge to the burning buildings made
it impossible to throw more than one
stream from the fire trucks; but so
effective was the fighting, that possi-
bly, the whole line of buildings from
the Casino down were saved from de-
struction.
Pocomoke City received her S. o. S.
call between noon and one o'clock,
and it was not long before the boys
were on the way. The severely cold
weather made the trip a veritable
punishment, but the boys stuck to
their truck and did valiant service
after arrival.
Ocean City is now in darkness, but
is promised lighting facilities in
very short while. Seaside Hotel, on
which there was an insurance of $10,-
600 will likely not be rebuilt; and DR..
C. w. Purnell is reported as saying
that he will not erect another Atlantic
hostelry. The Pier, it is thought, will
be rebuilt as will also the other
structures destroyed.
Just what caused the ignition in
the Power plant is not known, but it
was discovered about II A. M. in the
small room adjoining the engine
room, by Mrs. Harry Gunby. The re-
sulting flames ragged till about
o'clock, four hours after their dis
covery.
Insurance has ben variously esti-
mated, but it is thought there is not
more than $4,000 on the total loss Of
100000 or more. This will not 60
very far toward rebuilding.
A landmark has been removed from
Ocean City,s water front in the burn
ing of the Atlantic Hotel. Recently
it celebrated the fiftieth anniversary
of is erection, and is probably the old
est hotel on the Beach. It had been
the resort Of many politicians,
sportsmen, and capitalists for many
years; and, could its history be writ
ten it would tell of varied life. In
the days before prohibition, there
were many scenes of conviviality en-
acted in its halls, and good times gen
orally prevailed.
But, of late years, much of its pa
tronage has drifted to newer houses
up the beach; hut as the ocean front
built up, there never seemed to be a
structure to surpass the old Atlantic
in size, and to the last, as it was at
first, it remained the largest hotel in
the city, and, in many respects, the
only one run on strictly hotel basis;
the others leaning more toward
family boarding house regime. Many
will regret the passing of the old
House; they can recall the days when
the level of the porch, which has, in
recent years been raised, was or 6
feet above the board walk. The
waters have piled the sands under it
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