Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 136, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1910 — MIDDAY FIRE ALMOST CONSUMES A RESIDENCE. [ARTICLE]

MIDDAY FIRE ALMOST CONSUMES A RESIDENCE.

Fire Company Did Good Work In Subduing Blase that Started In Attic Of Yan Grant’s Residence. When the hopse occupied]) by Van Grant and family was discmrered on fire at about 11:15 o’clock today, Wednesday, it looked as though the flames were certain to destroy it. The fire department with Assistant Chief C. W. Rhoades in charge/and Bert Campbell driving, made a quick rush to the house, whicli is on Franklin street just north of the Mrs. William Eger property. Neighbors had already assembled and many of the housefibld goods were removed before the hose was connected up and a stream of water applied to the flames. But the good work of the department and a number of qssistatfts finally conquered the blaze t and the loss to the property will probably not exceed 3500. The roof was practically destroyed, the gable ends of the house somewhat burned, and the plastering over the upstairs rooms and the ceilings below will probably all have to be replaced. Mr. Grant and family, including Miss Ivy Erwin, of Chicago, who is a guest there, and a woman who was helping clean the house,' had just seated themselves at the dinner table when there was a noise in the attic that resembled rats. A second later Mr. Grant was convinced that there was a fire and running upstairs found the attic over the kitchen ali ablaze. The alarm was sent in and neighbors by that time had also discovered the fire and there was a lot of assistance in getting the things out of the house and in the rush that ensued there was some damage to these, although in the main they escaped uninjured. Chief Montgomery was out of town and Assistant Chief C. W. Rhoades took charge of the department and the work was very effectual. Within ten-minutes the fire was under control and aside from the roof and the water damage the house was uninjured. Aipong the outsiders who gave valuable aid to the department were Sam Roth, Chester Zea, N. C. Shafer and Cleve Eger. The house is the property of the heirs of William Eger, Mrs. Grant being one of them. The house was insured and the loss will probably be promptly adjusted. The household goods were also insured. Assistant Chief Rhoades received quite a bad cut on his left cheek while using an ax to break the roof in. The ax off the handle and struck him in the face. H/e also mashed one thumb quite badly.