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Ukrainian Labor Temple and Henko Store Gutted at Newcastle Early On Friday Morning Final check-up of damage caused by the disastrous fire at. Newcastle, which broke out at about one o'clock on Friday morning in the Ukrainian La bor Temple has reduced the fire loss to approximately $22, 000,000 . Contrary,to first reports there were no private residences destroyed, the major damage being confined to the Labor Temple and the Hev'ko Gro cery store, both of which are total losses. In addition a small ice house a chicken house and a number of chickens and two large coal bins were destroyed. The Labor Temple, which was in sured for $14,500 was valued at around $36,000, this being the major loss in the conflagration. According to eye-witnesses, smoke was ‘seen ‘pouring from the rear of the Labor Temple shortly before one o'clock on Friday morning and Im mediately a call was turned in for +the_Drumheller fire brigade but due to the absence of water the firemen were compelled to stand helplessly aside.as the big building poured out masses of lurid flame, driving would be volunteers back to the railway tracks two hundred yards away. Efforts were made to salvage some of the effects before the blaze had got firm hold, but much of the salvaged property was later burnt, as it was not removed far enough away from the premises. The dry timbers quickly were trans formed into blazing pillars and, fan ned by a westerly wind the flames caught hold of the Alec Hewko store where Mr. Hewko’s two daughters were sleeping. Two men forced their way into the building and awoke the two girls who had only thst time to get into their clothing before their home was also a mass of flames. The other smaller buildings were also enveloped in the conflagration, but fortunately a vacant lot saved many homes in the vicinity from be ing destroyed. The blaze, which at tracted hundreds of Drumheller peo ple, could be seen for many miles around and so fierce was the fire that the group of buildings were razed to the ground in a little more than an hour after the alarm was turned in. The Drumheller brigade made des perate efforts to get near the blaze with the chemical apparatus but were compelled to fall back before the in tense heat. Over the weekend a large number 2 people viewed the ruins, the only thing left above ground being a twen ty foot brick chimmey. $3 understop that the Ukrainian Association will erect another hall in the near future. The cause of the fire is a mystery but it is assumed that a lighted cigar ette or a discarded match was respon sible.A large gathering had attend ed one of the regular social functions at the hall on Thursday evening and when the building was closed at 11 am, there was no sign of fire. “Charity,” said, Uncle Eben, “will kiver a multitude of sins and yit most of us doan seem ter hab much mo’ dan'll go roun’ foh our own pun'nal usps.”
Newspaper Details
Drumheller Mail
Drumheller, Alberta, CA
Thu, Aug 15, 1929
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Diane N.
CA 16 Jan 2026
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Drumheller Mail
