Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1920 — AN UGLY FIRE WAS AVERTED [ARTICLE]

AN UGLY FIRE WAS AVERTED

Monday Afternoon in Rear of the . City Fire Houae. Fire that probably originated from a carelessly thrown cigaret stub, i& nited in a pile of straw and hay in the rear of the city fire house shortly after 1 o’clock Monday aft ernoon, communicating to the wood tower used for drying fire hose, ami made an ugly blaze for a time, although it was soon under controj of the firemen after a couple of streams of water were brought to bear on it. Fortunately there was no wind 01 it is possible that several of the old wood buildings thereabout,* Including the fire house and so-called city hall would have been consumed. As it was, several other places caught fire, one building nearly a block southwest of the burning tower, but not much damage was done aside from the latter. The wobden tower was built inside a metal windmill tower, and this kept the embers from flying far, but the wood tower was completely destroyed together with some 250 fee| of old hose, still serviceable in a pinch.