BURNING A TOWN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11126, 27 July 1907, Page 3 (Supplement)

BURNING A TOWN.

MTMICIPAL PLOT. TO REBUILD FROM INSURANCE. V BERLIN, June 11. Thirteen prominent citizens, who constituted the volunteer fire brigade of Siebenlehn, m- Saxony, are m gaol ajwaiting trial for the systematic destruction of the town by fire. They plead m defence that their purpose was to improve the appearance of Siebenlehn by getting it rebyrilt m better style at the expense of the insurance com. panics. One fireman has confessed that a definite "plan for destroying the whole place had the formal sanction of the town council. These zealous disciples of municipal splendor not only would start fires, but would see to it that none of them was ever extinguished. Individual members would claim the usual premiums from the town treasury for early arrival at the scene of the conflagration, but there was a general understanding that the extinguishing of the flames was to be merely make-believe. Anybody who really tried to save burning buildings would be set upon by his comrades and beaten until he desisted.

In order to ensure, the fires "spreading," the volunteers would carry burning beaons into adjoining buildings, ana houses, sheds, and barns which failed to take, fire would be hacked to pieces. Fire brigades from neighboring villages which hurried to Siebenlehn to assist the local heroes were either deprived of water or had their hose cut into short lengths Fires m Siebenlehn, moreover, were always made occasions for festivities;