Store Block Burned at Ansonia, Conn.

Store Block Burned at Ansonia, Conn.

The Stewart block, on Main street, Ansonia, Conn., occupied by several stores, offices and a lodging house, was badly damaged by fire at 3.40 o’clock a. m. Sunday, Oct .12, with a total loss estimated at $33,000, of which amount $15,000 was on building and $20,000 on contents. The building was four stories high, built of brick 17 years ago. It was partially destroyed by fire nine years ago. The fire, which started in the basement, had been burning some time when discovered by the janitor, who lived on the second floor. When the fire department, in command of Chief H. E. Green, arrived the fire was under the first floor, where a series of explosions ensued. The basement was divided by several wood partitions and used as storerooms. A dense smoke kept the firemen from reaching the blaze, which soon spread to the upper stories. A second alarm brought all the remaining Ansonia apparatus and an engine and ladder company from Derby. There were nine hydrant streams turned on the fire, from a gravity water system, with 95 pounds pressure on a 20-inch water main. The department is volunteer, and all apparatus except a chemical engine is drawn by hand. The explosions were oxygen tubes, chemicals and spirits stored in the drug store basement and in automatic gas meters, of which there were 17 in the building. A severe rainstorm prevailed during the progress of the fire. Of the 3,500 feet of cotton rubber-lined hose brought into use five lengths burst. No provision had been made for saving life in case of fire. Thirty-five persons were asleep in the doomed building when the fire broke out.

The Stewart block, on Main street, Ansonia, Conn., occupied by several stores, offices and a lodging house, was badly damaged by fire at 3.40 o’clock a. m. Sunday, Oct .12, with a total loss estimated at $33,000, of which amount $15,000 was on building and $20,000 on contents. The building was four stories high, built of brick 17 years ago. It was partially destroyed by fire nine years ago. The fire, which started in the basement, had been burning some time when discovered by the janitor, who lived on the second floor. When the fire department, in command of Chief H. E. Green, arrived the fire was under the first floor, where a series of explosions ensued. The basement was divided by several wood partitions and used as storerooms. A dense smoke kept the firemen from reaching the blaze, which soon spread to the upper stories. A second alarm brought all the remaining Ansonia apparatus and an engine and ladder company from Derby. There were nine hydrant streams turned on the fire, from a gravity water system, with 95 pounds pressure on a 20-inch water main. The department is volunteer, and all apparatus except a chemical engine is drawn by hand. The explosions were oxygen tubes, chemicals and spirits stored in the drug store basement and in automatic gas meters, of which there were 17 in the building. A severe rainstorm prevailed during the progress of the fire. Of the 3,500 feet of cotton rubber-lined hose brought into use five lengths burst. No provision had been made for saving life in case of fire. Thirty-five persons were asleep in the doomed building when the fire broke out.