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Daily Kennebec Journal
Augusta, Kennebec County, Maine
What is this article about?
In 1903, Maine experienced 1960 fires (excluding forest fires) with total losses of $3,596,226 including 317 forest fires. Defective flues led causes; dry summer worsened damage. Commissioner Carr's report details causes, comparisons since 1895, and lower incendiary/unknown origins.
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The Dry Summer Added Much to the Losses for the Year.
Smaller Percentage of Fires of Incendiary or Unknown Origin.
Commissioner Carr has prepared the following table showing the causes of the fires in Maine during 1903. The total number of fires for the year, not including forest fires, was 1960, against 1624 for 1902. and it is of interest to look over the table and see the great variety of causes to which these are attributed. As usual, defective flues and chimneys lead among the known causes, and next for 1903 came brush, grass and forest fires.
The table follows.
Total $2,555,016
Forest fires reported to land agent and not included above 317 $1,011,219
$4,366,235
The following table made up in the insurance department. shows the number of fires in Maine and the resulting damage for each year since 1895:
Number Damage
In 1903 in addition to the 1960 fires reported to the commissioner there were 317 forest fires reported to the land office with a damage of $1,041,219, making the total fire loss of the year amount to $3,596,226 and the total number of fires 2277.
The percentage of fires of "unknown" and "incendiary" origin for several years since the enactment of the law for the investigation of fires has been as follows:
Incendiary Unknown
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Maine
Event Date
1903
Key Persons
Outcome
total fires: 1960 (not including forest fires), plus 317 forest fires; total loss: $3,596,226
Event Details
Commissioner Carr prepared a table showing causes of 1960 fires in Maine during 1903, with defective flues and chimneys as leading known cause, followed by brush, grass, and forest fires. Dry summer added to losses. Smaller percentage of incendiary or unknown origin fires. Additional table shows fires and damages since 1895. Percentages of unknown and incendiary fires listed for several years.