Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1912 — Smoke and Fire Damage G. E. Murray’s New Residence. [ARTICLE]

Smoke and Fire Damage G. E. Murray’s New Residence.

The fine newly remodeled residence of G. E. Murray on River street was considerably damaged by fire and smoke, mostly by the smoke, 1 Friday night. The painters and dec-! orators had been working at the house and it is supposed that on leaving they did not leave the fire that they had in the grate in as safe a condition as they should, and that the floor in front of the grate caught fire therefrom. The house was tightly closed and the fire smouldered, making a great deal of smoke, which damaged the upstairs and a part of the lower floor where the painters had gotten the wood work ready for the enamling, making it as black as smoke could make it. The fact that no draft could get to the fire probably saved the house from being much wdrse damaged. As it was the hardwood floor in the dining room, where the fire started, was burned through and the joists underneath burned. A young man braving the cool autumn air in sparking a girl om the front porch of a nearby house smelled the smoke and the alarm sent in about 11 o’clock. Th. fire company found considerable difficulty in gaining an entrance to the house and putting out the fire, a screen from an upper rear door being finally torn off to gain access. Mr. Murray and family have been living in the Dr. Brown property immediately across the street while their own home was being remodeled, and they had hoped to get into their new home early this month, but the fire will delay them about a month in getting moved back. The damage is several hundred dollars, but is covered by insurance. The insurance has not been adjusted at this writing.