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Show Fire Destroys Old Ice House A quiet day and quick action on j the part of volunteers fire-fighters, perhaps prevented a disastrous fire for Gunnison late last Friday evening. even-ing. As it was, the old ice house, located at the rear of the poultry exchange ex-change whent up in smoke and with it two young pigs and several bushels of potatoes. Valiant work on the part of the volunteers prevented the fire from spreading when the old building fell. j The fire was first discovered at about 5:30 and immediately employees employ-ees from the J. C. Penney company, the poultry exchange and neighbors j gathered and a vain attempt was made to smother the blaze in its infancy, in-fancy, but the dry timbers and hay and straw made quick fuel and the heat was so intense that the fighters were unable to get in reach of the flames for effective work. When the building fell sparks flew in all directions di-rections and the dry grass in the immediate im-mediate vicinity caught fire and i spread rapidly. This was quickly checked, however, and soon only the j smouldering embers of the old land-! land-! mark" were left. j Two pigs, about three months old, were in a pen adjoining the building. Before help could arrive the fire had gained such headway that it was im- possible to liberate the animals and i they were suffocated by the intense I heat and smoke. Some ten bushels of potatoes were in the building and these were also destroyed. The origin or the fire is unknown, I but it is believed that boys were eith- er smoking, shooting firecrackers or j else carelessly threw lighted matches match-es in the straw in the building. The damage was nominal. Too much care cannot be exercised at this time with fire. The city has been very fortunate for many years and through careful watching has escaped with only small losses by fire. Firecrackers, the delight of the youngsters, and the low water level in the city tank, makes the elements decidedly dangerous and every care should be exercised by parents and merchants. |