Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1916 — BAD FIRE AT WISEMAN HOME [ARTICLE]

BAD FIRE AT WISEMAN HOME

Flames Nearly Destroyed the Roof Before Being Quenched. The home of Mr. and Mrs. John Wiseman in the northeast part of the city caught fire Monday evening shortly after 5 o'clock and was damaged considerably before the flames were gotten under control. The fire company made a quick run to the scene but the hose carried on the wagon was insufficient to reach the fire and considerable delay was occasioned thereby. The roof of the entire house was burning and a large portion of the shingles had to be torn off in order to reach the flames. Mrs. Wiseman had just started a fire in the kitchen stove and was preparing the evening meal when a neighbor ran in and said the roof was Off fire. She then ran upstairs and tried to save some of the clothing and furnishings. While thus engaged a piece of burning timber fell from above and struck her across the back of the neck and she was burned quite a little, although not severely. The fire originated either from a defective chimney or a spark alighting on the dry roof. The latter is thought the more probable inasmuch as the chimney had but recently been thoroughly repaired. They carried insurance on the house, which will reduce the loss considerably.