Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1897 — FIRE SWEEPS AN OHIO TOWN. [ARTICLE]

FIRE SWEEPS AN OHIO TOWN.

Bainbridge Ravaged and Two Citizens Burned to Death. The village of Bainbridge; Ohio, was almost' completely destroyed by fire resulting from an explosion of gasoline. Many persons were made homeless. An entire square containing most of the prominent business houses, several handsome residences and the Methodist Church was entirely destroyed. The fire started in a barn in the rear of Perrin Brown’s general store, by two little boys who were playing with ignited matches. The flames spread rapidly and communicated with the main buildings. Beardsley’s drugstore adjoining was next ablaze and with the limited means at hand for fighting fife it passed all bounds and became uncontrollable. In the midst of the excitement a terrible explosion occurred in the drug store, and Mr. Beardsley, who was inside endeavoring to save some of his property, lost his life in the ruins. His brother-in-law, Thomas Higgins, who went to his rescue, was unable to get cut, and burned to death, while several were more or less injured, but none fatally. There was a hard wind blowing which fanned the flames, to greater fury, and getting a fresh start from the burning oils and chemicals in the wrecked drug store, the fire leaped from fiouse to house until it was evident that the entire town was doomed. A message was sent to Waverly and to Chillicothe asking for aid, and both fire departments promptly responded. The best that could be done was to prevent the fire from being communicated to the other squares and the flames were soon under control. But two houses were left standing on the square. The estimated loss is SIOO,OOO.