New Britain herald., 1928-02-03
BUSINESS SECTION
 RUINED BY FLAMES
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(continued from First Pase) ment was unchanged. The plates were made here and the paper today was printed at the plant of the Taunton Gazette.
 Fircmen Make Stand.
 At the other end of the burned district the fire was stopped at the walls of the Merchants building. Chief Daley of the Brockton fire de- partmeat and four men from the Taunton department made a stand in this building and directing streams from its windows halted the progress of the flames.
 The city hall, post office and cus- toms building were saved. Flying cmbcrs started many fires in distant parts of the city. ono Of these de- stroyins the tower of the Merchants mill. two miles from the business district. Little other damage was done by these fires.
 State police and a detachment of ciast artillery helped patrol the city and no disorder was reported. Boy Scouts ana Salvation Army workers provided food and coffee for the firemen.
 Bremen from surrounding cities and towns were assured by Chief Jeremiah Sullivan of the Fall River department today that their services probably would not be needed after today. Most if not all of them. the chief said. would be able to go to their homes by night.
 Fire apparatus which was sent from Boston late last night returned to that city today. Providence also sent aid and today relieved the men who worked during tho night by sending fresh detachments.
 Local officials predicted the streets would be cleared before tomorrow night and that trolley service, sus- pended by broken wires. would be resumed by Sunday. The streets in the fire swept district probably will not be cleared of the piles of debris for several days. however.
 Chief Sullivan today declared that when his men arrived at the blazing plant of the Pocasset Manufacturing company where the fire started, they found the buildings without sprink- lers. The buildings were In process of dismantling and the chief said he understood that among the first things done in connection with the work twas to remove the sprinkler system."
 T am not sure this was done first" he said. but do know that when we responded last night the buildings were without sprinklers. In the light of the enormous and unnecessary loss caused by this ter- rible fire in our city 1t seems to me almost a criminal matter that these buildings should not have been pro. tected as long as possible by the sprinkler system"
 Second add Lead f Col BUSINESS In telegram received here today State Treasurer Williams s. Young man offered to extend any aid pos sible to the city. including . special loan without waiting for authoriza- ton by the legislature.
 Bremen this forenoon were still ! playing streams on few sections oi 1 the ice-coated ruins but most oi them had been withdrawn. The work of cleaning up the streets was well under way before noon. Leading Hotel Burned.
 The Mohican House, the city'a 1 leading hotel, quickly emptied ita 400 rooms. and an hour later was In flames The Granite Block, the largest office building in the city wal an early victim as was the Rialto theater. where an audience wal
 viewing a picture when the firsl
 alarm came. An other theater de. I stroyed was the Premier.
 Troops Called Out.
 Members of ;ne 2l1 coast artilley company were called out to supple.
 ment a force of 20 state policemer | rushed from the Holden barracks In addition every member of the To. cal force was on duty but there wa.
 TO footing and an almost total ab. i scence of disorder.
 ! Despite reports that several fire. 1 men had been killed by falling walls a check showed on.s five had been injured. None was believed serious. 1 ly hurt.
 City Was Cut OH. Throughout the height of the blaze, the city was cut off from the outside world. Telephone service failed at II o'clock when operators were ordered from the exchange building on Main street. For awhile | it appeared certain that tho teie. phone plant was doomed but valia nj