Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1916 — Fire at the Mrs. Fannie Wasson Home. [ARTICLE]

Fire at the Mrs. Fannie Wasson Home.

The fire alarm was given at 6 o’clock Tuesday evening, a blaze having been discovered in a second story bedroom at the home of Mrs. Fannie Wasson on east Vine street. When the fire company arrived the entire upper floor was full of dense smoke, and it was with great difficulty that they succeeded in locating the fire, which was confined to a dresser full of clothing. The blaze was quickly extinguished, but it was some time before the smoke ceased pouring out of the open windows. Just how the fire started is unknown. The dresser was setting against a chimney and there was a fire in a stove beneath. A fluestop in the chimney either became overheated and ignited the wall ' paper, in turn reaching the dresser, or there were some matches in the dresser which were lighted by mice. was little damage from the fire and smoke, and this loss is covered by insurance. Many people were upon the scene ahead of the fire company and carried neatly all of the household furniture out of doors, breaking some of it and damaging it quite a little. Fire Chief Montgomery has requested that at future fires those not belonging to the fire department shall cease their efforts to subdue the flames as soon as the company arrives, which he believes necessary in the interset of efficiency.