Hundreds Flee 5-Alarm Blaze

MALDEN, Mass. (AP)--Hundreds of persons, including scores of children, fled their homes in sub-freezing temperature at 5 a. m. today as a five-alarm fire destroyed the Commonwealth Lumber and Building Supply Co. on Eastern Avenue.

Fire Chief John Cronin estimated damage at $800,000 and said it was the worst fire he had fought in 30 years.

Residents in nearby multiple dwellings were ordered from their homes as heat singed the paint on the buildings. Others fled as dense pall of smoke blanketed a quarter-mile area.

Firemen had to use hydrants five blocks away as two near the blaze burst under pressure.

Three hours after the first alarm the 250 foot long, two-story wooden structure was burned to the ground. Only the front brick wall remained.

Hundreds of firemen battled the flames. They came from surrounding cities and towns and as far away as Boston.

There were no reports of injury, but firemen were hampered by 24-degree cold and ice that formed almost as soon as water fell from fire hoses.

Bennington Banner, Bennington, VT 22 Dec 1961
__________________

Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!