Source: News-Journal, April 2, 1936

FIRE LOSS FOR YEAR IS $5,300

There were 30 fires in North Manchester from April 1, 1935 to April 1, 1936, according to the report of Willard Weesner, who has charge of the fire department at the town hall. The greatest losses were by Charles Wright, Alta Rager and the Northfield company, the estimate by the firemen being $4,500 for the three. The loss from the other fires was slight, the estimate being $800. There were nine roof fires, three kerosene or gasoline stoves, two automobiles, one defective wiring, one trash, four overheated stoves and furnaces, two from sparks, one leaf, one radio, one road oiler, one road roller. Only three fires had been put out before the firemen arrived, which speaks well for the promptness of the firemen in answering fire calls.

It would be interesting to know what North Manchester paid in fire insurance premiums during the year ending April 1. There is no way of positively checking the amount, but the general belief is our fire insurance over a period of years has cost a great deal more than the amount of fire losses.