The Worcester of eighteen hundred and ninety-eightFifty years a city . e at that time. The Fire Department had beenincorporated and regularly organized in 1835, and the number of menand engines was from time to time incieased as the growth of the placeadvanced. In 1854, when the Merrifield fire, Worcesters most disastrousconflagration, occurred, the city was as well equipped for fighting fii-e asany other community of its size in this part of the country; but at thattime none of the modern methods or apparatus had come into use, andthe devouring element overcame such resistance as could then b
The Worcester of eighteen hundred and ninety-eightFifty years a city . e at that time. The Fire Department had beenincorporated and regularly organized in 1835, and the number of menand engines was from time to time incieased as the growth of the placeadvanced. In 1854, when the Merrifield fire, Worcesters most disastrousconflagration, occurred, the city was as well equipped for fighting fii-e asany other community of its size in this part of the country; but at thattime none of the modern methods or apparatus had come into use, andthe devouring element overcame such resistance as could then bebrought against it, and swept away everything in its path. To-daya similar fire could be quickly controlled unless adverse circumstancesof an extraordinary nature should prevail. The advent of the -steam fire-engine, like most innovations, wasresisted with bitterness, but its efficiency was so effectively demon-strated that within a few years it entirely superseded the old handapparatus, the hook-and-ladder excepted. Another valuable adjunct 358 The Worcester of i!. RESIDEIICE vVESTMINSTER STREET. and aid to the quick extinguishment of fires was the alarm telegraph,the first portion of which was constructed in 1871. Within the pastyear or two the wires of a considerable part of this system have beenplaced under ground. Worcester has now one of the most efficient fire departments in thecountry, and its reputation is generally acknowledged. The manualforce consists of the chief engineer, deputy chief, assistant chief andeighty-eight permanent and ninety-nine call men. The apparatus in-cludes seven engines, fourteen hose-wagons, four chemical-engines andfour ladder-trucks. Sixty-two horses are employed. There are sixteendepartment houses, besides the new headquarters. The department headquarters at Union and Foster streets, just com-pleted and soon to be occupied, cost over $100,000 exclusive of the is one of the most beautiful and commodious fire buildings in thecountry.
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