Mr. C. A. Cutting, local supt., was called to the powerhouse at 12:05 by Archie Haggard, the shift engineer, and found fire blazing in the northwest corner of the building. This they soon got under control with the aid of hand extinguishers, and then it was noticed the roof was burning around the ventilator. An alarm was at once sent in and the brigade arrived promptly, and soon had three streams of water playing on the flames. The boys worked heroically in an effort to get the fire under control and avert as much damage as possible but the fire gradually spread along the roof, and just as it would seem they had it under control it would break out again in a new place.

An inspection of the building later in the day showed the walls to be intact, and the actual damage to the structure will probably not be more than $3000.00.

No estimate as to the damage the machinery and equipment sustained can be made, but as the interior was kept well soaked with water, it is thought they could suffer little from fire. The loss is well covered with insurance.

The power plant was sold to the Saskatchewan Power Commission about a year ago for $42,000.00. Since then two Diesel engines and a new switchboard have been installed at a cost of about $75,000.00, bringing the total cost to the Commission to about $117,000.00.

The most serious aspect of the fire was the water situation, as the town waterworks plant is located in the same building, but this escaped without damage. The water tower, with a capacity of 165,000 gallons, was full at the time but very little remained when the fire fighters ceased work. The pumps were started at eight o'clock, and by 9 o'clock in the evening the water tower was again normal. The town mains, being exposed to the weather as a result of the fire were protected by a hastily constructed shelter and heated.

Service Restored by 7 A.M.
The town was without light for only seven hours. As a result of the recently constructed transmission line between here and Saskatoon, a hookup was made

The Saskatchewan Power commission worked at top speed to see that Humboldt would not be left without electricity. As soon as the fire brigade arrived at the fire and took charge, Mr. Parker, at Regina, was advised over long distance by the local supt. as to the state of affairs here. Mr. Parker immediately got in touch with Mr. R. W. Jickling transmission and distribution engineer at Saskatoon, who left at once by car to re-route the power from Saskatoon to Humboldt as this line had only been completed on Sunday. He reached Humboldt at 4:30 a.m. and we are informed that power could have been turned on then, but the firemen would have been in danger should streams of water come in contact with the 13,000 volts. Everything, however, was made ready, and just as soon as the flames were under control, the power was turned on.

Later in the day the supt. made canvas of the power consumers as to any inconvenience that had been experienced, but here had been practically none. All were more than satisfied with the efforts of the Commission in restoring service so promptly. Many of the citizens did not even know of the fire until hours after, and some heard of it on their radio at breakfast for the first time. This was largely due to the fire siren not sounding, which is electric. The alarm was given, however, by the C.N.R. whistle and the St. Augustine church bell.

The town 's fire equipment worked 100 percent efficiently, throwing three streams of water for practically seven hours continuously, at any desired pressure. Praise is also due the members of the brigade and other citizens who stayed with their job, which was no pleasant one with the temperature 15 below zero, the coldest night we have had this year.

Another Fire At 8 O'clock
Just as the brigade were returning from the power house, another alarm was sent in, fire having broke out in W. Ostrom's tinsmithing shop in the rear of Max Heger's beauty parlor.

Water was turned on with all possible speed, and although the interior of the shop was all in flames, the fire was soon got under control. The shop was badly gutted, but the flames were prevented from reaching the front of the building occupied as a beauty parlor. The building is Owned by Mr. Heger, and both he and Mr. Ostrom had insurance.

The fire is supposed to have started from an over heated stove.