About half-past 3 o’clock this morning a fire broke out in a small stone bake-shop owned by James Rodgers, Waterdown. The fire bell roused the slumbering people of the village, and there was soon a crowd on the spot; but, from the intense heat of the burning building and the want of proper appliances, it was soon evident that all their efforts could not prevent the fire from spreading to the stables in rear of J. C. Eager’s dry goods store, which was soon in flames. The horse which was inside was got out just in time. Men, women and children worked hard with pails and pumps, but the fire could not be prevented from communicating to Eager’s fine concrete store. It caught under the cornices in the rear, ran along under the roof, and when people thought that the fire had been brought under control the blaze burst from the roof of the store. At that time a great many people gave up the village as lost, and there is little doubt that if there had been a wind blowing at the time the greater part of Waterdown would have been reduced to ashes; but fortunately the air was still, the people worked with untiring energy, and the flames extended no further than the roof of the stone building on the corner of Dundas and Mill streets, occupied by Mr. Eager as a grocery store. Though the roof of this building was burning over half an hour, the flames were finally extinguished by the heroic exertions of several citizens.

The Hamilton Fire Department was telephoned to for assistance, and Chief Aitchison responded by going to Waterdown himself with ladders and accompanied by four policemen and Mr. Broadbent. Though they arrived after the fire had been got under control, they did good service in maintaining order and saving property. The only serious loss was from the destruction of the concrete building occupied by Mr. Eager as a dry goods store. The interior was completely destroyed. Most of the foods were saved, but considerable damage was sustained in their removal. The goods in the grocery store on the corner were uninjured. Strange to say, Mr. Rodger’s main shop, in front of the bake-shop, and to which it was attached, was saved entire, as was also his barn, closely adjoining, in which two horses were confined. Mr. Rodgers was not insured. His loss will be about $400. Mr. Eager’s loss is considerable, but his insurance will nearly, if not wholly cover it. He is insured on the building in the Western for $2,500, and on his stock he is insured in the Waterloo Mutual for $2,000 and in the London & Globe for $1,500.

It is thought by the Waterdown people that a small fire-engine or a hook and ladder company would have saved the main building, and a move will immediately be made to secure for the village having more adequate fire appliances than buckets and pumps. No fire having occurred since the burning of the rope factory about two years ago, the people have not had occasion to feel alarmed at their state of insecurity.

After the fire was extinguished a number of young men who had been working at it got a little too much liquor in them and became rather troublesome. The presence of Chief Aitchison and the four policemen, however, prevented any serious disturbance from taking place. Chief Aitchison took a revolver away from one of the men, and it is now in his possession.