Jewett City, CT Fire, Jan 1904

THE FIRE OF 1904.

On January 4, 1904, occurred the most disastrous fire in the history of the present fire Department. On the early morning of that day the Lewis Hotel, which had been rebuilt on the site of the one burned in 1878, was discovered to be on fire. So far had the flames spread that no thought of saving the building was entertained. The temperature that morning was 22 degrees below zero, and a brisk wind was blowing from the northwest. The firemen came quickly and in force. To subdue the flames, and to save the adjoining property, was the task set. Streams of water played upon the fire for some ten hours before safety was assured. The sufferings of the firemen from the cold was intense. The spray covered them until they were encased in ice. The hotel property loss was estimated at $25,000.

Griswold - a history : being a history of the town of Griswold, Connecticut from the earliest times to the entrance of our country into the world war in 1917; New Haven, Conn., 1929, page 254
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!