The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-26

oil 8. hot ashes, l5; burner ex- plosion, 3; lighting, 10; careless ness, 10; exploded lamps, 1; over heating ranges, furnaces and mo- tors, 35; overflowing range oil, Al; suspicious, 3.
 Other reasons for various calls were listed as follows: Defective sprinklers, 5; smoke, l8; water pipes frozen, 2; gas leaks, 10: gas fumes, 6; refrigerators, 8; flooded boilers, 1; swallows, 1; broken water pipes, 1.
 Most fires occurred in garages, the report stated, factories were second, rooming houses next, then res- taurants and grocery stores. The total for garages was listed at 18, factories IF, rooming houses, l5. restaurants IA and grocery stores l2. All other sources of blazes were listed as being under To- These in cluded church, two hotels, the Y. NJ. c. A., home for the aged, a school, the City Hall, junk shop, q trailer, a freight car, a candy store and a fruit store as well as several other establishments.
 There were 5l fires in which damage was estimated at over Sl,- GOO, and l22 with damages of less than this amount. A total of $148,- l73,3l estimated damages was re- ported to buildings and contents with $l4l ,2933l paid out in insur- ance. Uninsured loss on buildings and contents amounted to $6,980.
 The Fire Marshal's report fol- lows in part:
 Waterbury has had some serious and expensive fires during the past twelve months, and in some in- stances, the loss of life occurred.
 Jan. 2l. l945: The first serious fire of the year occurred at 23l Bank street, in the well-known Restau- rant. owned and managed by Rocco Diorio. Firmen battled the smoky two alarm fire for more than six hours. Fire started in the cellar close to the liquor storage room, and soon the entire three story build ing filled with dense smoke which made working conditions for the flremen very difficult. The intense heat affected the gas meters and escaping gas became a hazard. Fire travelled between the floors and up an outlet pipe to the roof, causing a great amount of damage One fire man was overcome by smoke and another slightly injured.
 Jan. p, l945: Another restau- rant fire occurred at 28 Scovill street, in building formerly owned by the late Senator John Hurley and now operated by Ralph Gre tella of Naugatuck. A carelessly dis carded cigarette butt, dropped in some rubbish back of the bar, was given as the cause.
 Jan. 23, l945: The residents of the Y. M. c. A. were awakened at an early hour, when fire was dis covered in the basement bowling alleys. Quick action on the part of the fremen, confined the fire to this location. Duck pins and bowling balls were destroyed. The damage was estimated at about $l 900 by the Fire Marshal.
 Feb. 5, l945: Fire drove a family five in number, from their home at 60 Welland avenue and destroyed the four room dwelling. Joseph Cassetta and his wife, Antolnette, barely managed to escape with their three children after they were aroused by the smoke. Practically all personal belongings and furni- ture were destroyed.
 March 8. i945: Early in the morning. flames raced through an abandoned three story frame house at i25 South Main street and laid waste the structure in less than one hour, The fire which was started by Buns" seriously threatened other nearby buildings. The Italian Church next to this building suffer- cd an exposure loss of several hum dred dollars The flames from this fire were Sky High" and were yisi- ble throughout most of the city.
 Apr. I2, l945: Mrs. Michael Sera- fino. 82, of co Beech St., burned severely while burning rubbish in tine yard, rear Of her home. IL was a windy day and her clothing caught fire from some flying embers. Her daughter-ln-law, hearing her cry out. -endeayored to beat out the flames with her hands. Mrs. SeFa- fino was removed to the hospital, where she later died.
 Apr. IS, le46: Mrs. Theresa Doran, ca Madison St.. who was severely burned about two weeks previously, died ct st. Mary's Hospital. Mrs, Doran had started 10 make bread when, for some unknown reason. the stove exploded, burning her severely about the shoulders and arms.
 Apr. 90. lo45: Blackies well known Hot Dog stand on the Cheshire road was destroyed today. Eng. Go. No. 2 and Eng. Go. No. s were sent out to assist companies from Wolcott and Cheshire. Water was pumped from pond, at a point some distance from the fire. but due to the head start the fire had, t was Of no avail. The stand was completely destroyed.
 May 27. 1895: Oncc again, and on the Cheshire road, fire struck; this time completely destroying the Wa-