Ellsworth, ME Masonic Block Fire, Jan 1907

$25,000 FIRE AT ELLSWORTH.

Ellsworth, Me., Jan. 25. -- Hampered by frozen hydrants and in a temperature of 25 degrees below zero the volunteer firemen of Ellsworth, battled the Masonic block, a three-story brick structure on State Street, and threatened to wip out other buildings in the business section.
At 1 o'clock the flames had communicated from the Masonic building to the adjoining block occupied by the hardward store of Morrison, Joy & Co.
The basement and street floor of the Masonic building was occupied by the plant of the Hancock County Democrat, while the second and third floors were retained for the use of Ligonia Lodge of Free Masons. It is supposed that defective insulation of electric light wires in the basement of the building started the blaze.
The Masonic building was valued at $20,000, and the loss on the newspaper plant is estimated at $5000 more.
At 2 o'clock the fire was under control. The firemen succeeded in confining it mainly to the Masonic building, the building occupied by the hardware store suffering only slight damage.
All the records contained in the Masonic lodge rooms were destroyed.

Daily Kennebec Journal Maine 1907-01-25
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!