The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-02
FIRE DAMAGES
 P0WERS' HOME
Firemen Jeered By New Years Eve CelebratOrs
 Trying to Save Eye=Sore

Naugatuck, Jan. "A preliminary investigation showed mo visible" cause for the fire at 3.15 Thursday morning at the unoccupied home of the late Miss Margaret Powers, Fire Marshal Michael F. Shea said today. However, he is continuing his investigation.
 The building at 216 Hillside ave- nue, which had not been occupied since the death of its owner, Miss Powers, early last year, suffered considerable damage from fire and water. However, the monetary dam age from the fire was negligible, it is believ d, as the structure had been in ramShackle state for a long period
 The fire apparently started in the cellar and worked up through the kitchen ard dining room. The rooms on the nrst floor were dam aged by fire and the roof was also damaged. There was water damage on both the first and second floors.
 A box alarm, 4l2, was pulled. It is at the corner of Millville avenue and Hillside avenue. There has been no furnace ill the cellar nor any stove in a long period. It is possible a tramp might have used the deserted place as home for a night and some careless action might have caused the fire, the fire marshal said, but this is admitted ly speculative. ".
 Bremen worked hard to save the structure. This was the second early-morning fire here within two days as there was a blaze on Hill street extension Tuesday morning about the same time.
 Fire Chief John J. Sheridan and Herbert Cockroft, foreman of the volunteers, led the e-f1ghters Ill battling the blaze. They worked for several hours on the tWo-story building
 The building is well known here because it Was the home of the Misses Katherine and Margaret Powers, eccentric recluses. After Miss Powers death, money was found in boxes and other places in the building and her estate is esti- mated at over $100,O00 She lived in Spartan-like simplicity, although her wealth would have permitted her to provide herself with all the comforts of modern existence.
 William Wyatt of Walnut street, returning from a party, discovered the fire, and pulled in the alarm. At that time the flames were in the cellar, kitchen and dining room. He saw nobody in the vicinity at that time, he said. Later as firemen were battling the blaze, New Years Eve celebrators in formal attire Jeered the f1remen for trying to save the rundown building, apparently feeling the building is an eye-sore.
 Fire Chief Sheridan today an- nounced he will request proper authorities to order the late home of Miss Margaret Powers torn down.
 The fire chief said the building will be a constant hazard and feels it should be removed as quickly as possible. He said there is always a danger of further fires there and such fires might endanger valuable property in the vicinity.
 Chief Sheridan pointed out he would not permit firemen to enter the interior of the structure Thurs day during the fire because of the danger of collapse of the build ing. which has been permitted to be in a rundown condition. He felt that if he had given such permis- sion, he might have been needless ly endangering the lives of the fire men. As result the firemen worked from the outside only.