New Britain herald., 1928-01-06

7 Sff8eQnCS Th0Ena1 y. E00M0Y 4n& John c. Stadler surrounded tn,
 burning building and kept the crowe out of the danger zone. Although thu size of the crowd of spectators wal
 variously estimated. the fact tha they were 10 to IF persons deep fol full block on Ossood avenue ant across lots for some distance on al least two ddes. would indicate thal the number of spectators ran Sntt thousands. Among the crowd wert many small boys. who were frankly enjoying the schoolboy's ambition te See the schoolhouse burn down. In this quarter at least there were nc regrets and no sympathy. A goat re- leased from q nearby ,barn. became excited by the fire and its antics amused the crowd.
 Sergeant stadler took charge of the crowds on the north side of the building and Sergeant Feeney on the south side. Both were active in hav- ing the patrolmen keep the crowd back, and at one time it was neces- sary for Sergeant Feeney to move 8 group of spectators who had strayed close to a wall which seemed in dan- ger of falling.
 Chief Noble today complimented the policemen who were at the fire for their diligence. At many fires. he said, the firemen are handicap ped by curious people who crowd in and about the burning premises. Sergeants Stadler and Feeney made good use of the men under their command. Chief Noble said. and he wished to express his appreciation. Sergeant Patrick McAvay also was on the scene.
 Auxiliary Reservoir Uscd
 Although the water department reports there is an abundance of water in the mains. Chief Noble said today the pipes were practically ex- hausted before the high service reservoir was turned in. The auxiliary reservoir is located about one-quarter of a mile away from the building at one of the highest points in the city. In case Of serious fire 1t is turned into the mains and by reason of the great drop 8 material increase in pressure is brought about. Chief Noble. realizing that total destruction would result from any attempt to fight the blaze with the existing water service sent one of his men after Supt. Towers of the water department and the high pressure service was brought into play. In spite of the fact that en- zines supplemented the service it was impossible to produce a satis- factory pressure.
 At no point in the city is the nor nal water pressure lower than at the hydrant across the street from the Israel Putnam school. records in the water department show. Tests have shown it to range between 10 and 15 pounds. against 90 pounds in the center of the city.
 Chief Noble stated today that the fire was the first of any seriousness which has occurred in school building in the history of the city. There have been small fires in school houses.
 Andrews Rejects Wire Theory
 Electrical Inspector Mason r. Andrews does not accept the de- fective wiring theory for last nights fire. The inspector pointed out that in the type of wiring used in the building the strands are five inches apart. making it impossible to es- tablish contact. Had two wires come together in this system the result would have been a blown fuse in- stead of fire, Andrews insists.
 It was learned today that Deputy Chief Michael T. Souney was injur- ed last evening when he fell on the ice covered steps of the building. The fire chief fell on the ice covered steps and injured his right arm and sustained some body bruises.