The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-04

distinctly stated by Thomas Nor iarty, brother of the owner, that ho had repeatedly warned thcm against the habit; yet. tenants said they had never been told not to start tho fire. Mir Moriarty de. clarcd that this was part of his daily routine. but denied starting a fire on Tuesday
 Tho Moriarty block proper hus q frontage of 38 feet on Willow street and runs westerly for Il distance of 6b feet. 1t was built about 20 years ago by ono Chatsi- n0ff as an apartment block for eight families, but has since been changed around into smaller flats for the accommodation of double tho original number of families.
 Tho fire, as noted, started In the west end of the building, and swept along tho verandas so quickly that the place was in flames within q very short time. It burned through the wooden doors of tho tenants private hall. ways and up through to the high est point. breaking out through Inc roof and 'envcl0plng tho entire nclghbor0hood with heavy black smoke. and dangerous looking sparks. Tho wonder is that more houses did not catch fire. As it was, tho house next door, south, Mrs Bernard SGhryer. caught fire, of MT and Mrs Louis Abel Ut 327. 320 Willow street, the home of Harry Rosenberg at 33t Willow street, tho property of Rachel Snf. crsteIn at 335 and 337 Willow street, and the property at 357 Willow street, owned by Samuel Holcz6r. In no case, however, did serious damage result. other than to the Moriarty property.
 Tho occupants of tho Morlarty building were as follows, to witt.
 First floor --- Thomas and Ed. ward Moriarty; Second floor -- Mir and Mrs John Hagefty. Mrs Helen Cullen; Third floor --- Mir and Mrs John Hove, MT and Mrs Gustavc A. V0llmer; Fourth floor - Mir and Mrs Bernard Laddcn; MT and Mrs Eugene Morlnrty.
 Occupants and owners of other houses, which caught fire. were as follows, to witt
 327.32D Willow street --- Louis Abel, A. C. Mallory, J. A. Pratt; 331 Willow street --. Harry Rosen. berg, owner: 335.337 Willow street - Aaron Kaufman, Harry Bauby; 357 Willow street -- Samuel Holczer, owner, but not occupant; Mrs Mary Lynch, C. Gustafs0n, A. q. Monahnn; 36l Willow street --- MT and Mrs Ber- nard sehryer, Mrs Nellie Demars, Emil Well.
 Personal interviews were had by the fro marshal with residents of Elmwood avenue, the 0wneres and occupants of the Morinrty block. and others as to just what they had observed before and af. ter the start, of the fire, and based upon my talks with these persons. and my observation Of the prem lses, l hereby make the following finding to witt
 "That the fire in tho Edward Moriarty 18 apartment block. To. cated on the westerly side Of Will low street, No. 385, and commonly known as The Plaza, and which occurred on Tuesday. May 2. i932, at or about ten o'clock In the morning, was due 10 n careless act on tho part of a tenant (unknown to mel, in starting fire among n pile of waste paper In the incin orator located on the west side of the structure, in close proximity to the building itself. and during an exceptional wind for spring or May day"
 Tn this finding and opinion. the chief of the Fire Department. Leu tenant Joseph Stevens of the Wa terbury Police Department, and the building inspector of Water bury concur.
 Tn further compliance. with the statute l shall file Il copy of this finding with the Commissioners of the State Police.
 (Signed)
 D. ]. LAHEY.
 Fire Marshal of Water
 bury. Connecticut.
 Dated at Waterbury, Connccti- cut, this third day of May. 1882. ]