The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-26
Marshal MUestigates I, 1O2 Fires in 1945
CContinued from Page D


 1 terbury Screw Machine Products Go. A puff explosion from & cleaning solvent started this fire and in Q short space of time the entire build l ing was e mass of flames. But, as in the case of Blackies fire, lack of wa- ter, the entire building was destroyed at 8 tremendous loss.
 July IS, 1945: Another fire out side the city limits occurred at the Lift-the-Latch Inn. in Middlebury. Assistance was requested and sent by Chief Cavanaugh. Fire started in the kitchen when a fuse blew out. Quick work on the part of the fire men prevented the fire from spread ing to other parts of the building.
 Aug. II, 1945: An oil stove ex- ploded in the home of MT. and Mrs. Jesse Sprague, 700 Walnut St. Ext. Four small children were removed from the building. three by Mrs. Sprague and the other child, Donald, 6 months old, was taken from his crib by Lieut.. Maurice Noonan and brought to safety. The children and Mrs. Sprague were taken to St. Mary's hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation. The building and contents were damaged greatly.
 Sept. 9, l945: Seven firemen were admitted to St. Mary's Hospital and two others were treated last night after having been overcome by car- bon monoxide gas while fighting a fire in charcoal pit at the Amer ican Brass O. plant off West Main St. None of the firemen lost com- plete consciousness.
 Nov. 22, l945; again fire struck this time in the home of MT. and Mrs. William Murray and their children, at 80 Oak street. A short circuit in a ceiling fixture was the cause as determined by Marshal Legge. Quick work on the part of the firemen under the leadership of Chief Campion, no doubt was the determining factor in saving the greater part of the building.
 Dee. 6, l945; long to be remem. bered by the fireman of Waterbury, @ tremendous explosion occurred at the home of Mrs. Ethel Ringen- berg, Seminole avenue, a one and one half wood frame structure. Liv- ing with her at the time was MT. and Mrs. Theodore Hansen and child. Jean, g months old. MT. Han sen was awakened by the baby cry- ing shortly after 4:30 a. m. He said he smelled a strong odor of gas. He removed his baby and assisted his wife from the building. Placing Mrs. Ringenberg on a bed, he then shout ed out the window for assistance. He then went down stairs and call- ed his doctor on the phone and reached the front porch when the blast knocked him to his knees. The explosion was heard for miles around and several houses in the vicinity were damaged. When fire men, summoned by neighbors, ar- rived at the scene the house was completely demolished, with flames springing up in several places. Mrs. Ringenberg met death instantly; and was the object of three hour search by the firemen. who discov- cred her body beneath the wreck age of the house.
 Dec. l3, l945; a recently discharg- ed veteran, August c. Semarna- viche, 2S, of 6 Simsbury street, nar- rowly escaped death when he fell through the ice of the reservoir (Bellevue) where he had been fish- ing. The Emergency Car, with Chief Campion in charge was sent to the pond. Pvt. Thos. Murphy volunteer ed to carry a rope to the struggling man and succeeded in looping lt under his shoulders. Both were then pulled to safety by the Chief and Pvt. Woods.
 "Dee. i3, l945; fire was discovered in the home of MT. and Mrs. Sum. ner Laraway and five children, ~ Warner Place. Mrs. Laraway re- moved the children, but by the time she reached Cynthia, the i5 month" old-baby, had received first and sec. ond degree burns of arms, legs ana face from which she later died. The fire, apparently had started m Q closet, in a rear bedroom.
 Dec, 3i, i9a5; Cpl. Anthony Lev. andoski, armless veteran Of World War No. 2 was carried from his smoke filled bedroom by two fire- men when fire broke out in the cellar of his parents home at IT Willard street. A cigarette butt eareiessly dropped into some waste materials was the cause as deter" mined by Marshal Legge. Damage to building was small.
 'These fires we have outlineu, Mir. Mayor, show the greater part of the fire loss for the year. We have the satisfaction Of knowing there has been q great reuuetlon from the figures of Q year ago. The essential work of our office Is He inspection. We have outlined In tiiis report just what we have done where we have been, and the dI- ferent places visited and inspected. Not only has this duty and obliga' ton been carried on during the day time, but many of our inspections have been during the night season. and at all hours. You may under stand how often we are called upon I t0 act hV the number of o0mDla ms