Fire in Callander cuts wide swath in business area

Blaze razes hotel and sweeps across tracks to C.N.R. station

Stores are wiped out

Special Despatch to The Globe.

North Bay, April 20.—In the brief space of three hours fire originating in the basement of the Pacific Hotel, Callander, reduced to embers today a business section in that village, nine miles south of North Bay. The loss will approximate $30,000. Fears were entertained for some time for the safety of the village, a lumbering community, on the shores of Lake Nipissing. The wind, however, was blowing from the lake and away from the lumber yards.

Reeve Morrison called on North Bay for help, and equipment was sent to assist in bringing the fire under control.

The Pacific Hotel, owened by Carlino Bros., and lately remodelled for the summer tourist trade, was razed. Fanned by the breeze the flames leaped the Canadian Northern Railway tracks and swept from their path the Canadian National Railways station, Hutubise's butcher shop and bakery, Yerke's restaurant and a store operated by Sam Butti of North Bay. Three families living the apartment above the butcher shop lost their furniture. Stationmaster Keeling lost his household effects when the Canadian National Railways station was destroyed.

Turn of wind helpful.

A fortunate turn in the wind when the blaze was at its height saved the east corner of the village, in which the Town Hall, Catholic, Anglican and United Churches and public school are situated.

The Canadian National passenger train southbound at 10.15 had barely passed through the village when the flames swept across the line. The three lines of rails were curled up, closing the line to traffic. At 2 o'clock track-layers were at work restoring the line.

Had adequate firefighting equipment been available at the outset it is probable that the damage would have been restricted to one corner of the hotel. The fire was first noticed easting through the southeast corner of the hotel, and although a bucket brigade was quickly formed, it ate a passage up the walls to the roof. Within half an hour it had spread to the whole interior and fanned by a stiff breeze it quickly enveloped the structure.

Forestry branch aids.

The Ontario Forestry Branch rendered good service at the beginning with two pumps and a large supply of two-inch hose. The village volunteer brigade and Powassan brigade were reinforced by a detachment from the North Bay department under Chief Bredy, but the facilities were not equal to the task.

By covering the front of his store building with tarpaulins and dampened blankets, C. K. Morrison, Reeve, saved his premises from destruction.

The Pacific Hotel was one of the original buildings of the village, having been erected in 1883. Remodelling was completed only Saturday last, at a heavy cost. Charles Carlino stated that they would likely begin to rebuild within a few days.

Railways: C.N.Rys.

Stations: Callander

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