The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-10-12


 Fire Marshal Lahey again took occasion to praise the rank and file of the Waterbury Fire Department. He also outlined and explained that when fire takes place, under the law, Chief Cavanaugh and his depu- ties are supreme, even against the owner of the property.
 Takes Over
 "The Fire Department is in con- trol," declared the Marshal.
 Part of what the Marshal said during his numerous talks during the week, is as follows:
 A year ago when we addressed the people of Waterbury at the opening of Fire Prevention week, we ap- pealed for Q more careful study of the dangers of fire, and asked that proper surveys be made of the prem- ises wherein they reside, with @ view to keeping down fire prcserv- ing the property of the owners, and making 1t so that at the end of the fire year the loses would be much less than they were for the year then closed. We are happy to re- port tonight that some heed ap- parently was given to our sugges- ton, based upon the figures for the fire losses for the year ending August 3i last. In 1942, our loses were estimated by this office of the Fire Marshall at $4o6 6,999.s6; for the same period in 1943, we have figured the total damage by fire at $l65, ,39l 60, of which there was an uninsured loss on buildings and contents of SIS, 9,090.l0. And bear in mind, the Fire department has been called to places with an total estimated value of property at $2,896, ,4oo.00. There fore the reduction in the fire loss against the figures of 1922, is $240,- 708.26. This is a remarkable show ing, we think. And yet 1t Is not sufficient. We must do better, and we can improve, too. If the people will be just little bit more careful than they have been the past l2 months. You recall the serious fires of the year;you remember Feb. l last when the fine apartment build ing at No. 80 Willow street was dis covered on fire "in the dead" of the night, and all occupants forced in their night clothing to leave; they had to flee without being able to gather up any of their belongings; and the two families in the upper floors had to actually run to get out of the way of the fast moving flames. Have you ever been asleep when fire occurred in your home; if you have you know what 1t is and how ex- cited you become for the welfare and safety of the other members of the household. Ask those persons who were in this Willow street build ing, how they felt when they were awakened by the cry of fire, or ask the many good people who suffered the same experience in Wards flats, when this particular building was attacked by fire on the afternoon of April 6, forcing many of the war workers sleeping in the day time to rush out in Scant attire, on cold and windy day, and leaving all of their clothing behind, as well as other property. lost in most cases, and little of which was insured. The fire at 30 Willow street was esti- mated in damages at the time by this office at $30,O00.00: the actual insurance loss was $27 .8S9.l6; the fire at Wards flats went to around $l5, 5,000O0.
 Church Fire
 On Dec. T, l942, the Fire depart ment was called to a puzzling fire at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church; every church fire is dangerous, and when the depart ment arrived, smoke had penintrat- ed all rooms, and corners of this handsome little edifice. But the promptness with which the firemen responded and acted. made 1t so that the actual damages sustained did not reach over a few thousand dollars.
 On Jan. IS. lo4s. at 4:45 o'clock in the morning. fire broke out in a six apartment block at No. T53 . T55 North Main street. starting in the cellar and going upwards Into two business places on the ground ifoor; but the apartments were not reach- ed, ns the firemen forced their way through the heavy smoke, got every one safely out, and prevented con- tact Of the flames with the upper part of the structure. But there slana waa lnsa which ran ln to