G.T.R. freight shed at London is again burned

Heavy loss in merchandise and records—City urges new structure

$460,000 for education

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(Special Despatch to The Globe)

London, Ont., March 7.—For the second time within five years the Grand Trunk Railway freight shed and offices on York Street, between Wellington and Waterloo Streets, was burned last night, the loss to freight and building being estimated at anywhere between $125,000 and $150,000. The cause of the blaze is unknown, but one theory is that the electric wiring was to blame.

The building had been patched up since the last fire, and no regrets were expressed by Londoners when they heard it was practically wiped out today. A policeman walking along the beat at 11.45 last night saw nothing walking around the freight house, but fifteen minutes afterward the place was a mass of flames. As the entire freight house, built seventy years ago of frame, and dry as tinder, the firemen had a hard time, and despite their best efforts fourteen loaded cars were destroyed. The bursting of dozens of steel drums filled with oil gave a spectacular feature to the big blaze.

Loss heavy in freight and papers.

The freight house was jammed with freight, owing to the fact that the teamsters have been on strike since Monday last, and deliveries to local consignees were congested.

All bills and records were lost in the burned offices, and it was take the company some time to straighten out the tangle of losses.

Want no temporary repairs.

Mayor Little, President George M. Reid of the Chamber of Commerce, and Ald. John Bridge of the Western Ontario Associated Boards of Trade, wired the Grand Trunk headquarters at Ottawa tonight, urging that no temporary repairs be made, but that the railway take steps at once to provide a freight shed worthy of the city of London and the business the company secures here.

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