firedamage

THE two worst fires in Stanthorpe’s history would have to be the 1914 and 1928 fires, which in so many ways tore the heart out of this town. 1914 At 10.30 pm on Sunday night, 28 June 1914 the alarm was raised about a fire in J.J. Clifford’s stationery store. At this time Stanthorpe did not have the fire brigade and it also did not have a reticulated town water supply. With the alarm sounding, literally hundreds of Stanthorpians rushed to the town center, many in their pajamas, to fight the fire. Clifford’s store was across the road and to the left of the current Post Office. Fortunately, it was a still night with very little wind. A bucket brigade was quickly formed, but the intensity of the fire rose more so in the flammable wooden buildings. Those not involved in the bucket brigade rushed into the stores to carry stock and furniture away from harm’s way and a great pile of items was formed across the street. The fire was strong and it began to spread to neighboring businesses. The flames got so high that they also threatened buildings across High Street. The flames could be seen from 20 kilometers away. During the course of fighting the fire, buildings were torn down by ropes, hauled by volunteers, in order to stop the spread of the fire. A safe from the bank, containing money and records, weighing 900 kilograms was hauled out onto the street. Two hours later, nine businesses had been destroyed. These included Mat Day’s Commercial Hotel (on the corner of High Street and Railway Street), McKenzie’s tailoring shop, N. Correy’s refreshment rooms, J.J. Clifford’s stationery store, E.J. Wren’s tobacconist shop, and billiard saloon, Savage and Sons, tailor’s shop, Commercial Bank of Sydney, A.G. Wareham’s general store, and J. Cusson’s billiard saloon. In all, the business district on the eastern side of High Street from Railway to Lock Streets was wiped out. A whole block of shops. All that could be seen the next day was 18 chimneys standing, surrounded by burnt rubbish, where there had been active businesses. For days afterward High Street was still full of salvaged furniture and produce and destruction. Clifford's and Wren’s lost their buildings, furniture, and stock. Other businesses, fortunately, had salvaged stock and furniture through the efforts of Stanthorpe citizens. Mr. Wareham began trading again the next day from The Good Templar Hall in Railway Street and Mat Day also recommenced his hotel business in a shop across the road from The Good Templar Hall. Source: warwickstanthorpetoday.com.au/stories/2015-06-04/stanthor...

FIRE AT GOONDIWINDI. Fire- broke out about 3 o'clock this morning, and the Commonwealth Buildings, comprising seven shops, and Mr. E. G. Lucas's Central Hotel, together with most of the contents, were destroyed. The Central Hotel was an up-to-date two-story building. The other places burnt were those of H. Nable, a tailor; H Gurtler, bootmaker; Mrs. Tanner, refreshment room; A. Andrews, billiard saloon; J. D. Hindmarsh, auctioneer; S. Cowell, mercer; J. Birkett, stationer. The total loss is estimated at £10,000. Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 Oct 1916 trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28101856#

Going by the power car number, I believe this to be RTL #158. Railfans tell us RTLs were fitted with a contact shoe to acquire power from the 600-volt third rail. The idea was to shut down the turbines when operating underground approaching New York, Grand Central Station so the tunnels wouldn't fill up with soot. The contact shoe was only used at the New York end. Looks like this shoe burned. Your corrections are welcomed.