Oyster Bay, L. I. NY Opera House Fire, Apr 1907

BIG FIRE IN OYSTER BAY.

OPERA HOUSE BURNED AND POST OFFICE AND STORES DAMAGED.

Oyster Bay, L. I., April 21. -- LONG'S Opera House on South Street was destroyed by fire early this morning. It was finished only a few months ago, and cost $20,000. It would seat 1,800 persons.
A performance was given in the theatre last night, the play being "Driven from Home." It was owned by JAMES L. LONG, former Town Clerk, of Oyster Bay and at one time clerk of the Nassau County Board of Supervisors. The origin of the fire is not known. There was a scarcity of water and the fire department, consisting of one engine company and a hose company could make no headway against the flames.
The opera house was a wooden structure, and the fire ate its way through the building with great rapidity.
The flames spread to RICE'S grocery store, LUNAM'S building, the PRENOWITZ Block, HEWLETT'S two cottages, and the Post Office, all of which were more or less damaged by fire and water. The firemen were hampered by a lack of hose and the villagers turned out with buckets and kept wetting down as well as they could the buildings in the vicinity of the blaze.
At 2 A. M. the Post Office, a brick building, costing $9,000 was on fire but a great effort was being made to save it from destruction.

The New York Times New York 1907-04-21
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!