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DISASTROUS FIRE CAUSES $75,000 DA The Oshawa Daily Times | SUCCEEDING 1he Oshawa Daily Reformer OSHAWA, ONTARIO, TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 1928 JWELVE PAGES MAGE GRIM FIGHT BY FIREMEN: HEAT INTENSE Hundreds of Citizens Flock to Scene of Disastrous . Fire MOST SPECTACULAR Northeast Wind Saves at Least One Home--Whole District Threatened A dark pall of smoke hanging over the city illuminated with the dull red glow flashed with streaks of crimson, that proclaimed fire, and in the center of the city, last night drew hundreds of Oshawa's citizens, like a magnet to wheer Bradley's rink and many buildings around it were falling prey to flames, and, as each new struc ture caught fire irrevocably, the flames and smoke rolled out in long tongues that licked up ev- erything in their way, and made many householders in the vicinity look more closely to their roofs. It was fire and destruction let loose, for a few hours, . Working desperately to save a situation that was almost beyond them, handicapped as they were by the absence of the motor pump- er, the boys of the fire brigade, under the leadership of Chief W, C, Elliott, amassed all of their strength to captivate the. red mon- ster, AJl sixteen members of the permanent staff were on the job in a remarkably short time, but the roof of the rink had already fallen in before they had time to lay even one line of hose, and in the desperate heat they had to think even of saving the fire equipment, as link after link of that first lwe 'of = hose burned through an dsprayed water any place except on the fire, The heat from the large frame rink was so intensg that the large warehouse of the Flintoff and Sons hardware firm was soon doomed and only quick work say- ed a box car that was waiting on the siding in front of the ware- house for unloading. As soon as the fire had jumped across the street ,the. work of the firemen was made doubly difficult, and soon calls were sent in for aid to the Whitby and Bowmatfyille bri- gades, * The north-east wind saved the home of Frank Braden, just east of the rink, which was very for- tunate as Mr. Braden had just re- turned from a seige of sickness in the hospital, But that same wind carried destruction on its wings to the row of houses behind and west of the rink and near the Flintoff warehouse, At these homes a garden hose and pails of water did remarkable work, and some householders sat all night on their roofs, lest flying sparks lodge in the cedar shingles, At least one home, behind the rink, can owe its safety to the fact that asphalt shingles were used on iw roofs, for the heat was so intense that the cornice and oth- er wooden parts ignited several times, and had the roof been of cedar it would have burned, with- out a chance of saving it, The fire was still blazing fierce- ly and had started to very seri- ously threaten several houses west of the rink, when the Whitby bri- gade arrived, The three high- pressure streams from their pump- er, and the additional lines of hose that they provided, provided a real turning point, however, and soon the active danger was passed. The Bowmanville brigade which arrived about half an hour later, also turned in gn effective piece of work and earned the high praise of Fire Chief Elliott. Hydrants on all of the available corners in the vicinity of the fire were pressed into use to supply water, and a good pressure was maintained throughout. Wher the fire bad ° finally surrendered to the three brigades ,the members | of the Bowmanville and Whitby detachments, 30 in all, were sery- ed lunch before they left for their homes, and Fire Chief Elliott ex- pressed the thanks of the eity to them for their very successful ef- forts in checking the blaze BROWN JOCK WINS ROYAL ASCOT STAKES (Cable Service To The Times By Canadian Press) Ascot, Eng., June 19.--Before a huge crowd including the King and Queen, Brown Jack, today won the Royal Ascot stakes by three lengths from Bonny Boy, 2nd with start 2nd third. The distapce is two miles and 21 ran, | 'The betting was 4 to 1, 100 to $. and 100 to 6 against. When the Fire Demon Raged 1his Morning Leaving Destruction in Its Wake This view shows the double house on William street which was completely destroyed flames were at their height, It was owned by Mrs. Kenneth Watson and occupied by Sidney Press cott, and Alfred Irish, Most of the furniture was saved.--Photo by Campbell, : while the A mass of ruins and charred embers alone remain to show where the old Bradley rink stood since its erection in 1910, The above picture shows the view presented after the flames had done their work. The rink was used last evening for roller skating and dancing, the patrons two hours before the fire broke out.--Photo by Campbell, having departed only FRIENDSHIP ARRIVES AT SOUTHAMPTN Amelia Earhart and Party Given Rousing Welcome as Plane Lands WHISTLES BLOWN Southampton's Woman May- or Extends an Official Welcome (Cable Service to The Times by Canadian Press) Southampton, June 19, -- The Trans-Atlantic monoplane, Friend- ship, arrived at Southampton from Burry Port, Wales, shortly after noon today. The plae, piloted hy Wilmer Stultz, who flew it most of the way across the Atlantic from New- foundland to Burry ort, was es- corted by two British planes, One of these planes was from South. ampton = aerodrome while the other flew all the way from Bur' ry Port as a guide. Whistles and sirens of liners in the Port sounded a shrill welcome which was added to outbursts of cheers from crowds lining both sides of the estuary. Miss Amel- ia Earhart, the first woman to fly the Atlantic, was greeted by Southampton's woman mayor, Mrs. L. M. Welsh and a special detachment of police then cleared the pathway for the automobiles which carried the party to their hotels. Before leaving Burry Port Miss Earhart ate a hearty breakfast of bacon and egs and toast and mar- malade. "I can't. help feeling clated," she exclaimed, before she boarded: the plane, *I suppose the flight did re- quire pluck and courage but all cre- dit is due to Bill (Stultz) and Slim (Gordon), They're the most wonder: ful fliers in the "world. Without boasting I think I could say that at no time during the journey did I seem in the slightest degree- afraid. I felt cold and uncomfortable and would climb into the cockpit from the fusclage to get a little mer. Then I would go back into the fu- selage and sit on the floor endeavor- ing to write in my diary." The fliers again were made *9 relate the story of their flight when they arrived here. "There were times when our hearts beat a little faster' than usual," said Pilot Wilmer Stultz. "These were when the motors-- never more than one at a time-- began to missfire when the driving rain would get into them. The rain iasted more than half way. Stultz is not adverse to flying back to America. "I wouldn't mind flying back," he said, "and I shall if I get the Tight kind of offer. I'd like to use this same plane. It is now in perfect condition. "I had no difficulty making my way across despite the fact that visibility was very poor. I knew perfectly well where I was all of the time and when we struck Britain I do not believe I was more than a mile off my estimated course." How Fire Loss Was Distributed Total damage of the fice at the rink last night was stat to be in the neigh- borhood of $75,000, * This was distributed as follows: Bradley's Rink destroyed damage $15,000, insurance, $6,000, Flintoff's Warehouse, de- stroyed, damage $10,000, insurance, $6,000, Mrs, ¥K. Watson's double resident, damage $4,000, in- surance, $8,000, , Two frame houses on Richmond street, $2,000, no insurance, Edward James' barn, and property, damage $3,000, partially covered by insur- ance, Frame house next to rink, damage $1000, no insur- ance, Residence of W. James, William street, damage $200, insurance covered. Fruit Growers Association building, damage $200, in- surance covered . Home of Frnk Braden, damage $800, insurance covered, - MERGER OF AUTO PARTS 1S LIKELY Adoption of Plans Will Form One of Largest Combines inthe U, S. (By Associated Press) Mackinac Island, Mich., June 19-- Negotiatons toward a Merger of the Automotive Equipment Association of Chicago and the Motor and Access- ory Manufacturing Association of New York today was the subject for discussion at the annual convention of Chicago organization, Adoption of Merger plans by both organizations, it was said, would re- sult in one of the largest combines in the history of American Trade Associations in dollar volume of business inyolyed, rr DONN BYRNE, NOTED 'NOVELIST, IS DEAD (Cable Serwice To The Times By Canadian Press) Bandon, Cork, June 19.--Donn Byrne, widely known irish writer and novelist, was killed near his home last night when his automo- bile ov&turned on seashore, He was in his 39th year. I RUTH ELDER CABLED AMELIA EARHART (Cable Service to The Times Canadian Press) Paris, June 19.--Ruth EMer, who failed to fly the Atlantic last year and was rescued from the sea, tele- graphed Miss Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly the Atlantic, that "I appreciate the exploit better than anyone." by WEATHER Fresh mortheast winds cloudy ard cool with scattered show- ers, - of Two Story House of the disastrous fire which swept a regular inferno of flames, As the strength of the north onslaught, area, and finally controlled, foreseen that the streams of water being played on the flames were util- ilized to a far greater advantage ad- vantage on the nearby residences which were threatened with destruc- tion. When the awe-stricken residents of the homes in the vicinity of the fire became aware that their hous- es were in danger, they immediate- ly gathered together what clotn- ing, furniture and other articles they could and deposited them in the streets. In the meantinre vari- ous garden hose were placed into use mostly upon the roofs, where danger from flying sparks was most imminent. Percy Horne, who was boarding with Ezra Brown, and who was also attempting to check the advance of the fire towards the house in which he lived, fell two stories from the roof of the resi- dence, to the ground, sustaining injuries to his back and body. Dr. C. O. Miller attended him at the Hospital. His condition this morn- ing was reported as being fair. Edward James, who owns a con- siderable portion of the property in the district, was overcome by the smoke as he was watching the fire, #hd due to his advanced years it was some time before he overcame the effects. Bernard O'Reilly, 86 Church street, was burned about the hands as he aided to protect a neighbor's house from catching fire. Electric light and telephone wires were broken down, and con- siderable danger faced the firemen and others who were assisting them. The trolley wire which was {strung on Richmond street west Five Homes, Skating Rink, Warehouse, Barn and Small Buildings Are Wiped Out Whole Section Between William and Richmond Streets West of Church Street Threatened By Early Morning Fire -- Whitby and Bowman- ville Fire Departments Send Pumpers to Aid Local Firemen -- Five Families Homeless, While Others Empty Houses of Furniture and Valuables, Should Buildings Become Ig- nited -- Percy Horn Injured in Fall from Roof Charred and smouldering ruins were evidence this morning practically a whole block, causing damage estimated at more than $72,000, and making five families homeless, in the central seetion of the city last night. fanned by a heavy wind, had gained such great headway by the time the local Fire Department was on the scene, that three homes in the immediate vicinity had already fallen prey to the eon- flagration, Bradley's skating rink was razed to the ground while Flintoff's Warehouse, situated on the south side of the road, was The flames, east wind grew, the ravaging fire crept northward across the block, destroying a double house on William street, owned by Mrs. Kenneth Watson, a barn used for the storage of hay belonging to ¥dward James, and a woodyard owned by Barnhart and Campbell. Several garages fell before the flaming Soon after the alarm to the Oshawa Fire Department had heen turned in by Sergeant of Police Stauffer, who detected the fire from the Police Station, both Whitby and Bowmanville fire departments were summoned and it was only through the timely arrival of these that the fire was restricted to one®" It was |past the Flintoff Warehcuse, wr; also torn down, to remove further hazards. It is known that a heavy current in a trolley wire will trav- el down a stream of water, doing serious injury to those on the end of the hose. Trees, homes, garages, barns and fences were mowed down by the flames. In the case of a. garage taking fire, a voluntary crew of assistants removed the automobiles to a safer zone, When the house be- longing to Mrs. Watson became ignited, more than 20 helpers rush- ed into the interior, passing out furniture and other valuables. Wil- lianr street was strewn with house- hold articles and debris of all kinds. Even those residents os Mechanic street became fearful of their belongings, and removed them to a place of greater safety, while the men with damp clothes and smaller hose continually protected the roofs and window sashes, the wooden portions.of the homes. The alarm was turned in at the fire hall at 1:39 o'clock this more- ing, and almost immediately the 16 members of the depertment re- sponded. It was necessary to make four trips to the station for addi- tiona]l lengths of hose, on account of the absence in Woodstock of the pumper truck. Whitby brigade was arrived at 2:30 o'clock and Bowmanville at 2:05. Boih out- of-town brigades made record times in reaching Oshawa. Through tue combined efforts of the three de- partments the blaze was coefined to the buildings which were de- stroyed. Three jines of hose were laid from the Bound and Mechanic street hydrant, two from the Bond and Church stret hydrant and two Facts Concerning Disastrous Fire Fire noticed by Sergeant Stauffer at 1.38 o'clock, Alarm turned in at 1.39 o'clock, hose and ladder trucks responded, Flintoff's caught fire. Whitby brigade summoned 2.10 o'clock. Mrs. Watson's house on William street caught by lames, Whitby brigade arrived at 2.30 o'clock, one pumper truck, Bdward James' barn "burned, after fight to save it, warehouse at Bowmanville brigade summoned 2.40 o'clock, Bowmanville brigade ar- rived at 3 o'clock, one pumper truck, Flames destroyed Mrs. Watson's house, the etruc- ture collapsing. Whitby and Bowmanville Brigades left at 5.30 o'clock. Oshawa Department turned to station o'clock, re- at 6.30 from the Church street hydrant, The first advance towards quelling the fire was made on the old rink which, was followea by another line of hose being di- rected towards the warehouse on the opposite side of the street. The hose truck was run between the two flaming builldings and as a re- sult was slightly scorched. . About five lengths of the old hose were burned during tbe night, As the flames spread northward, attention of the firemen was con- centrated on the original source of the blaze, on Richmond street, the rear of the homes on Church street and the houses along William street. Due to the fierceness of the fire in the centre of the block, resi- dents on William street were all urged to vacate their homes and take with them all the househnig effects within easy reach. Alfred Irish and his wife, occupying num- ber 73 William street, the east part of the house, and Sidney Prescott, living in the other side at 756 Wil- liam were forced to vacate with baggage. Soon after their cffects were placed on the morth side of. the road, the flames took posses- sion of the house and half an hour afterwards not even a timber re- mained erect. J. Norman 7hick- son was responsible for arousing the inatmes of the Irish-Prescott households. Damage to the extent of $4,000 was done to the double residence, on which insurance was carried to the extent of $3,000. Myr. Irish had $1,000 on his furni- ture while Mr. Prescott's furniture was not protected. The residence owned by W. James, also a double house, occu- (Continued on Page 3) ani kichmond WILL EXTEND WILLIAM ST. YOTE 12 to 2 Report of Special Commit. tee is Adopted By the Council COST ABOUT $3,000 City Will Pay Half, Balance Local Improvement The purchase of the lands neces- sary to open William Street east through to Oshawa Boulevard, was last night decided upon by the city council. The city as a whole will pay half of the purchase price of the lands affected, while the prop- erty owners in the immediate viein- ity will be assessed half of the. cost as a loca] improvement. The total cost of the three parcels necessary for the purpose is $3,000, accord- ing to signed offers made by the three property holders interested, This street extension decision was recommended in the report of the special committee named at the last council meeting to consider the opening of both Alice and Wil- liam streets between Ritson Road and Oshawa Boulevard: The commit tee reported that they had the ex- tension of Alice street under con- sideration, and that they hoped to be able to persent a final report at the next meeting of the council. Alderman A. R. Alloway, chairman of the committee, presented the report, which was also signed by Alderman A. J. Graves, Wm. Bod- dy, G. D. Conant and D. A. J. Swan- son. Alderman Stacey was the only member of the committee who re- fused to sign the report, and when he called for the yeas and nays on its adoption, Alderman Alchin alone supported him, all of the oth- er twelve aldermen present voting for the report. Alderman S. H. Jackson was not present at the meeting. * (Continued on page 3) STABILIZATION OF FRANG SATURDAY (Cable Service to The Times by Canadian Press) ress Paris, June 19.--It was understood today that stabilization of the franc has definitely been set for Saturday. The decision was reached at a cab- inet meeting today at which plans were discussed. Final details will be agreed upon at a special meeting this afternoon. As soon as New Yorw stock ex- change is closed stabilization law will be presented to parliament. Senate and Chamber of Deputies will be kept in session until stabilization law is adopted. 4 BAKERS AND SAILORS MAY JOIN STRIKE Athens, June 19.--Bakers and sail- ors at Piraeus were threatening to strike today. Rumors of a Com- munist revolution printed in Vienna newspapers, however, were described in Athens as nonsense. HISTORIC BUILDINGS DESTROYED Workshop of John "Brush" Allin and Old Warehouse Prey to Flames RINK BUILT IN 1910 Dance and Roller Skating Held Last Night in the Building Oshawa's oldest factory last night fell a prey to the flames, when the brush and broom plant of John Allin was almost com- pletely destroyed. Mr. Allin, wha is one of Oshawa's oldest resi- dents, was assisted to safety from. the fire, although his home and warkshop suffered loss. For more years than most of this eity's citizens can remember, John Allin has been making brooms and brushes that have found ready sale. Until a few years ago he had his stand on the west side of Simcoe street, about where number .48 on that street how stands, but he removed to 83 Richmond street west, where he has continued the practice of his trade in spite of his advancing years, . He used two front rooms of this frame buiding as a resi- dence, and had converted the one in the rear inte his workshop. Here he had a gasoline engine supplying power, with an over. head shaft and pulleys connecting with the machines. Looking into this shop one can see partially finished brooms and brushes, and also one or two that were appar- ently finished and ready for sale. Very little of Mr. Allin's effects were saved from the fire. The four storey warehouse Tres cently moved by Flintoff and Sons directly across from the rink, was also an historic structure in Oshawa, having originally heen built at the lake front for the storage of grain. 'It was moved uptown by the Oshawa Fruit Growers' Association, who placed it behind their warehouse, which adjoins the west side of Hogg and Lytle's building. The four-stor- ey building was a few weeks ago purchased by Fred Flintoff and Sons and moved to the front of the lot just west of the one-storey storage house of the Fruit Grow- ers' Association. Alteration work was still pro- ceeding on this warehouse, under which a cellar and foundation had been placed by the Flintoff firm. They had intended installing an elevator in the building, and the Oshawa Railway siding had been' extended to serve it. On account of the alterations some of the me- tal sheets had been removed from the building, and it was due to this that the warehouse became a prey to the flames, stated Fire Chief Elliott, The building, which was 40 by 64 feet in size, contained massive hewn heams that ran the full forty-foot width of the structure and haa also beam extending for fie full height. The timbers in this building be- ing old and dry, as soon as the fire secured a hold in the interior, it was impossible to save it, and thus another building thet bss served usefully passed into his tory. The rink self, in which the fire started, is one of the best- known buildings in the city, It was erected by Bradley Brothers in the fall of 3910, and has served since as an arena for ice and rol- ler skating, boxing tournaments ete. The massive structure was 74 by 185 feet fin area, with a high, sloping roof, It was con- structed entirely of frame and timbers ,and when it burned to the ground level last night it cast a reflection which was seen for a considerable distance. The build- ing has been owned by Bradley Bros. since its erection, and has seen many championship hockey games and boxing bouts. Turning back his memory for a moment this morning, Howard Bradley' recalled that the fall in which the rink was built was one of the mildest on record fin Oshawa. Construction was started in the latter part of October and the first skating was Christmas night. For the first winter the ice was on an earthen floor but the follow- ing summer a floor suitable for roller skating was installed, and' the ice has been on a wooden floor since that time, : Almost every summer the rink has been used for roller skating, Bradley Bros. haing purchased 500 pairs of roller skates for use by citizens of this city. This year the building had been leased by the Olympia Amusement Co., To- ronto, 5