Fire Destroys Store on Chestnut Street, Nov. 5, 1925

Flames Destroy Small Building. . . Metal Store and Contents Belonging to Mr. Jud Smith Completely Destroyed by Fire Early Yesterday Morning--$2,000 Loss with No Insurance—Chief Glover Says Matches and Rats Started Flames. . . Owner Thinks Different

Fire of undetermined origin early yesterday morning practically destroyed the small store and contents belonging to Mr. Jud Smith, on Chestnut street, doing damage estimated at $2,000, with no insurance.

Mr. Smith says the fire was of incendiary origin, but Fire Chief Ed Glover gives another version of the beginning. When he and his assistant arrived at the building, it was necessary to break open the door, and Mr. Glover says no one could have started the fire. His belief is that rats and matches started it, as the owner told him he had several gross of matches on hand.

The entire building was in flames when discovered by Mr. L.T. Townsend, who was awakened by barking dogs. Mr. Townsend ‘phoned the alarm from his residence on East Second street, which is a greater distance from the place of the fire than the fire department. The building was of metal composition and Chief Glover stated that the entire building was red with heat when he arrived. Very little of the stock can be salvaged.

From the Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 5, 1925

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