New Britain herald., 1929-01-07
FLAMES THREATEN
 RECREATION BLDG.
Legion Rooms Damaged by
 Pirt-DiscoYered in Time
LOUIS ". HIGGINS DEAD
Heart Disease Claims Lifclong Resi- dent - Gnazzo Released Under BOnd-Nfrs. Gillette n Years Old -Dowling League Reorgapised.

TFc NHICH DrOke out fAO0ut l
 o'clock this morning did approxi-
 mately $500 damage to the Amer,-
 can Legion rooms and the Recrea-
 ton billiard pariors at 65 Whiting street and was prevented from de. stroying the whole Recreation
 building only by timely discovery
 which nipped 1t almost at its in. ception. The origin of the blaze was undetermined today. but 1t is believed that 1t started in q basket or box Of waste paper alongside the gas stove in the Legion kitchen. A large hole was burned through the double hardwood floor underneath this and through the ceiling Into the lavatory below. while the flames spread along the partitioninE under the floor and ate their way along beneath the Legion hall. A large steel beam prevented them from spreading in the other direction and endangering the bowling alleys in the rear of the building.
 Constable George Schubert had passed the building only few min- ,ltes betore the fire was discovered but had not seen any signs of flames then. Donald Freeman, who lives in the house next to the Recreation building. came home from Hartford at l o'clock and, as he was leaving the garage after putting Up his car, he thought he saw sparks flying past an upper window. He hurried up- stairs to his own room and looked across Then he could see the flames burning briskly, and he quickly sent in an alarm.
 The fire company made a quick run to the spot. 1 s men responding. Among them was Chief Edward P. Prior. who come in spite of illness. For fear of doing great water dam- age to the bowling alleys below, the large hose was used for only n few seconds. and the fire was fought with the small hose and chemical line. about 70 gallons Of chemicals being poured upon the flames and putting them out within l5 minutes. Shortly afterward it was found that the flames were still smoldering In the partitioning above the billiard room, and holes were torn through this and the hoor above to extin- Euish the last sparks. Fearful lest there be still another outbreak, the firemen stayed on the job until 3:30 o'clock. and two men were left to watch until s o'clock.
 The building is owned by the Plainville Recreation Co.,. which is composed of John J. Murphy and w. Hird. The ground floor is used for billiard and pool room, and for bowling alleys. while Brock i Barnes Post, American Legion, r"nts the second story. on which there is a large hall in addition to the regular post headquarters.
 The kitchen and lavatory below were nearly gutted by the flames, while further damage was done in the hall and billiard parlor by the spread Of flames under the floor. The thoughtfulness in not using the large hose kept the .water damage unchanged. Mir. Murphy today said he damage would be about $500. wholly covered by insurance.
 Had not Freeman discovered the lanes when he did. they would nave spread rapidly and, it is be- ieved. would have guttcd the whole tructure.
 Louis W. Higgins Dies
 Louis w. Higgins. 5s. native and lfelong resident Of Plainvil1e. died uddenly at his home. ss East street, t | o'clock yesterday morning. Mir. Higgins had been troubled with rheumatism for many years but for he past year had sufficiently re- {. oyered to be around once more. te retired at 11:30 o'clock Saturday isht. apparently in fine health. hou f o'clock Mrs. Higgins was ttracted to his room by his heavy !, reathinE and found him prostrate {