Fire Bell

Fire Bell. . This cast iron fire bell, which weighs 750 lbs, was in use from 1876 to 1941. When rung, the deep tones announced the fire, alerted the townspeople, and called out the firefighters. The town was divided into fire districts with corresponding numbers of tones, so the sounding bell could also indicate the approximate location of the fire. The bell was also rung to announce severe weather, election victories and major news events., The city purchased an electric siren in 1941. The fire bell was removed and presented to outgoing mayor Wyman Bock as a gesture of appreciation for his service., The Fire Bell, hung in the tower of the engine house on Tuesday, weighs 760 pounds without the elapper, over 800 lbs. total weight. Now the city should be divided into a certain number of fire districts and designated by a certain number of bell-strokes, so that the ringing of the bell will at once tell every listener the approximate location of the fire. For instance, three strokes might indicate the locality of the Lower Mills, four strokes the depot district, five the Upper Mille-or some other way should be chosen. Happily, there will now be no need nor excuse for ringing church bells at an alarm of fire, and that barbarism will be abolished.