Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 185, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1920 — SERIOUS FIRE THREATENED [ARTICLE]

SERIOUS FIRE THREATENED

BUSINESS SECTION IN PERIL WHEN FLAMES BROKE OUT SHORTLY AFTER NOON. A serious fire which for a time threatened the business section of the city, broke forth shortly after noon today, Monday, and except for tjie prompt and efficient action of the fire department one of the worst fires in the city’s history would have been recorded. The fire broke out in the hose., tower just' to the rear of the fire department building and it was only, a matter of a few moments until the tower was a mass of flames. The firemen confined their efforts for the most part twoard preventing nearby buildings catching fire and were successful in their attempts to check the spread of flames Falling embers “ from the tower caused the roof of one or two of the other buildings to catch fire but these flames were quickly subdued and no damage resulted. The roof of a barn in the next block also caught on fire but the flames were wiped out by volunteer firemen with the aid of a garden hose. 'No details of the fire or its origin were at hand at the time the Republican went to press and a more detailed account will be in the -Tuesday issue. Fire Chief Montgomery and his me nare to be commended on their quick and efficient service and had it not been that the city is so well protected against fire it is probable that a loss of thousands of dollars would have resulted.