THE FIRE FIEND.
Destroys Robt. Ritchie's Dwelling and Contents.
Last Friday Jas. Johnson and another blacksmith were engaged in shoeing horses and setting wagon tires at the farm of Robt. Ritchie. The blacksmith shop stood but a short distance behind the house. The family retired at the usual hour but an hour later at 10 o'clock were aroused from their slumbers by the startling cry of "fire!" The building was enveloped in smoke and flames and the inmates had barely time to escape in their night clothing. In the excitement of the moment a child that was sleeping in its cot, was nearly forgotten but its father, Geo. S. Ritchie, rescued it without mishap. Nothing of value was saved but a few trifling articles that were thrown from the windows in the first moments following the awakening of the sleeping family. The building and contents are therefore a total loss with no insurance.
Mr. Ritchie had carried insurance up to within a year but had allowed it to lapse. The loss falls heavily upon him, this being the second fire he has suffered in five years. The fire was first discovered the Review is informed by Edward Downie, who was on his way home from Harrisville, thus possibly averting a dreadful tragedy as the inmates had no warning of the danger until awakened by the cries from outside. It is supposed that sparks from the blacksmith shop set fire to the grass or chips on the ground and crept up under the house where shavings etc. furnished ready fuel for the flames.
Another account is that Geo. S. Ritchie was awakened by the crackling of the flames. After hastily arousing the inmates and giving the alarm at this brother's house near by, they threw from windows what furniture and bedding they could in the short time they had. Owing to the intense heat much of this could not be removed to a place of safety and was destroyed.