Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : House Damaged by Early Morning Fire
Passerby and the Fire Brigade Control Blazes at Home of Mrs. Geo. Mapes
Fire which is thought to have started from a spark from a freshly lighted stove in the summer kitchen of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo Mapes, almost completely destroyed the summer kitchen (a frame extension to the main building), together with many kitchen utensils, grocery supplies, electric washing machine and other household articles, about 6.30 a.m. Friday.
Mr. Mapes had just kindled the fire in the summer kitchen and was in the adjoining room about five minutes later when he heard a sound beyond the door which he thought to be the family cat prowling about there. Upon opening the door leading to the summer kitchen, however, he was met by a sudden burst of flame which enveloped him and scorched his hair and whiskers.
Mr. Mapes rushed outdoors, shouting "Fire!" Mr. Harvey Aikens, his nearest neighbour, already up but not completely attired, heard the shout and at once made all haste to the fire hall, where he rang the fir alarm bell and then started the engine of the fire truck and got it on its way, picking up members of the fire brigade along the route.
In the meantime, Mr. Newman, proprietor of Bradford Dairy, who was passing on his delivery route when Mr. Mapes called, went to the latter's assistance. At this juncture a pail or two of water probably would have quenched the blaze, which appeared to be confined to a small space between the stove and wall of the summer kitchen. No pail was available, however, and the blaze made rapid headway during the very few minutes of delay. Mr. Newman then procured the garden hose, attached them and played water on the house until the arrival of the fire brigade, when the blaze was soon under control.
The summer kitchen was destroyed and all contents. The dining room was badly damaged with water and goods stored in the room above were destroyed. The repair work to be done will be considerable because as well as fire and water damage to the rear wing of the building the whole house was badly smoked. The loss is largely covered by insurance.
