Destructive Fire.

Monday evening about 7 o'clock, an alarm from box 35 was sounded, and in a few moments a second alarm from the same box. The fire proved to be in the boat shop of J. & G. Deguio, 285 Commercial street, which was totally destroyed, with all its contents; also a shed attached. The fire caught around the steam furnace in the back part of the building, in which a fire had been left. The buildings belonged to St. John Smith, Esq., and were insured, but to what extent we did not learn. Messrs. Deguio sustained a loss of $1,600, in stock and tools, on which they had insurance of $1,000.

An adjoining building, a two-and-a-half story dwelling house, owned by Mr. James H. Hamlin, was about ruined by fire and water. Insured for $1,000, in the Hartford, John E. Dow, agent. This house was occupied by the following families, who removed their goods in a damaged condition: John Hollowood, Mrs. McMann, Mrs. Cann, Mrs. Price, Mrs. McGlinchy, and Mrs. Donovan. There was no insurance whatever on the contents of this dwelling.

In the rear of this house was a one-and-a-half story wooden dwelling, also owned by Mr. Hamlin, and occupied by Larry Doyle and a Mr. Hinds. Their furniture was partially removed, much damage, on which there was no insurance. Mr. Hamlin had an insurance of $600 on the house.

On the eastern side of Mr. Deguio's shop was the office of Evans & Greene, coal and wood dealers, the roof of which was slightly damaged. A pile of wood in the yard also took fire, but was extinguished with but little loss. The building next, occupied by Messrs. Kimball & Brown, No. 277, junk dealers, took fire on the roof, and the cupola was burnt off.

Several Grand Trunk freight cars standing on the track on Commercial street, were scorched, but were removed before much damage was done.

Weekly Eastern Argus, Portland, ME 29 Jun 1871
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!