The dwelling house on East Fifth street owned by Mrs. Ira Barker and occupied by Mr. G.A. Crofton and family was almost totally destroyed by fire of unknown origin Friday afternoon. Approximately $450 worth of household furniture was saved, but part of it was damaged by smoke and water. The house was valued at $4,500 with $2,000 insurance. Mr. Crofton estimates his loss at between $3,000 and $4,000 with no insurance.
The alarm was turned in from box No. 36, corner of Cedar and Second streets, more than 2 blocks from the fire, at 2:40, but this did not delay the fire trucks as the blaze could easily be seen as one approached Cedar from the fire station. The fire was discovered by a colored woman working at the home of Mrs. A. Nash. Her screams attracted the attention of the neighbors, and Mr. Ballard turned in the alarm from box No. 41, evidently not more than 2 seconds after it was turned in from No. 36, but the current from 36 reached the bill first.
At the time the colored woman first saw it, the house was ablaze on top, and in a few minutes the roof was falling in. The house on the west side belonging to Mr. E.R. McIntyre was saved by only a few minutes. The paint was damaged, and the awnings were practically destroyed. It was also necessary to keep the house on the east, belonging to Mr. M. M. Rozier, wet to keep it from catching from the intense heat.
Firemen Did Good Work
Assistant Fire Chief Paul Britt handled the situation on a very admirable manner. Fire Chief Ed J. Glover was in Fayetteville on business. Local firemen mastered the situation, and didn’t even seem to consider the fact that the flames had the big grip. It was only a few minutes before three streams were playing on the flames, and it was evident that the fire was under control. A large crowd of people gathered, and assisted in removing furniture from the front part of the house. A piano, several chairs, a table and two bed springs and some clothing constituted most of the articles saved.
The origin of the fire is not known, but Mr. Crofton advances the theory that it was caused from a short circuit in the electrical wiring. A few days ago Mrs. Barker had some repair work done on the roof near a chimney, and it is believed that a shingle was dropped down on the wires, which caused a short circuit.
Mr. Crofton’s Third Fire
This is the third big damaging fire that Mr. Crofton has experienced in the past few years. About three years ago, while he was living in the northeastern part of the state, his livestock sales stables were destroyed by fire, causing a loss of $50,000. Several years prior to that time, several out houses, farm implements and livestock were destroyed by fire.
The house was formerly owned by Mr. N.P. Andrews and occupied by him and his family.
Small Fire Yesterday
Yesterday morning about 7:30, the fire company responded to an alarm turned in from Box No. 25, corner of First & Chippewa streets. A house belonging to Mr. Sandy McNeill and occupied by Mr. C.B. Hocutt and family was burning, but the flames were quickly extinguished, damage to the house amounting to about $50. The household and kitchen furniture was considerably damaged by water and smoke. The cause of the fire is undetermined, but thought to have started from a defective flue.
Thursday afternoon the house occupied by Mr. Charlie Kinlaw and family on South Chestnut street was slightly damaged when fire which started from a spark or defective flue burned a large hole in the kitchen roof. Chemicals were used and it was necessary for the fire truck to run through nearly a foot of water a block before reaching the house. Had it been necessary to lay a line of hose, the house would have been under water.
Fire Chief Ed Glover calls attention to the ordinance which prohibits one form driving across a line of hose. Violators are subject to a fine of $50 and costs. Mr. Elbert Goodyear was tried in recorder’s court this morning for driving over a line of hose at the fire yesterday morning. He submitted and was taxed with the costs.
From the front page of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Monday, October 6, 1924
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026483/1924-10-06/ed-1/seq-1/#words=OCTOBER+6.+1924
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