Fire Loss is $100,000

Fire Loss is $100,000 at Williamstown, Ky.;

Cafe, Grocery Burned

Fire roared through two business houses on the Main Street, Williamstown, Ky., 50 miles south of Cincinnati yesterday, causing damages estimated at more than $100,000.

Breaking out shortly before 3 p.m., the fire raged through the two frame buildings until about 6 p.m. when members of seven fire departments brought it under control.

Total losses, it was said, were the restaurant of Jesse O. Mitts, in which the fire started, and the combined grocery of Howard Lowe and the meat market of Minor M. Dunn in the building next door.

The fire also destroyed the apartments of Mr. Mitts over his restaurant, and Mrs. and Mrs. Lowe over the grocery.

Kentucky state highway police rerouted traffic off of busy U.S. 25, which is Main Street in Williamstown to avoid congestion.

Virtually all the residents of the city turned out to aid fireman of Williamstown, Crittenden, Walton, Erlanger, Falmouth, Dry Ridge, and Corinth, who responded.  Prominent in the fire fighting was Judge Lester Mullins of Grant County.

Fireman said they believed the fire started in the basement of the restaurant.  There was some speculation that the coal furnace might have blown up.

Both business houses were filled with customers when the fire broke out.

Mr. Funn saved $800 in dressed turkeys and hams, an electric saw and a hamburger making machine, but lost his cash register.  Only minor items, otherwise were saved from the restaurant and grocery.

A Kroger Co. store, to the south of the burning buildings, was threatened, but its brick siding stopped the flames.

Cincinnati Enquirer, December 23, 1951