January 26,1950
Fire of undetermined origin did damage to a garage and shed located at the rear of the Elgin Street residence of the Stafford family early Sunday morning. The alarm was phoned into the town hall about five o’clock by Mr. Reggie Salmon who resides or. Country Street to the rear of the Stafford property.
The brigade had its equipment on the scene in less than five minutes. Firemen found flames breaking out in several places in a shed and a garage behind the residence. The house itself is of brick construction. In the rear is a kitchen of frame construction and connected to that is a woodshed. Built out from the shed to form an L, is a double frame garage.
The fire was confined to the woodshed, the garage and the attic over the kitchen. Some smoke got into the main part of the residence through the open door from the kitchen but no damage was done of any account. Two cars in the garage were damaged. Two streams of water were played on the fire and the pressure was excellent.
There are four members in the family, three sisters and a brother. Several of them are in rather poor health and had to be assisted to the home of their next door neighbor, Mrs. P. J. Campbell. In this connection Constable Osborne of the local Provincial Police detail who was on night duty that week and one of the first on the scene, rendered great assistance.
Fire Chief Houston and others who investigated the fire are at a loss to account for it. Heat was provided by oil and electricity so hot ashes are ruled out and electricians say it couldn’t have been the wiring. Incendiarism to cover up theft of goods stored in the outbuildings is a theory that is entertained by the authorities although proof is lacking.
lindaseccaspina 