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Headlines through the years

A look back at the events, people and places that made North Pinellas the unique place that it is. The information is compiled from past editions of the St. Petersburg Times.

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 6, 2005

Nov. 1, 1930: Serious fire is put out quickly with gas bomb

CLEARWATER - Chief Luke Martin of the local fire department showed something new in fire-fighting tactics yesterday afternoon.

A blaze that had gotten a big start in the attic of Judge W.O. Head's residence at 307 Jasmine Way, Harbor Oaks, was extinguished without the application of water and consequent ruin of plaster and damage to furniture and personal property.

Two trucks responded to an alarm that came in at 4:45 p.m. from Harbor Oaks. Firemen found smoke arising in great volume from the roof of the stucco residence built several years ago by W.W. Landess.

The home was so full of smoke that the firemen were unable to operate from the interior, so a hole was chopped through the shingles and Chief Martin hurled a hand grenade through it. The little bomb, loaded with tetrachloride of carbon, landed in some soft plaster and failed to break.

The second grenade, however, went off like a bursting electric light bulb, throwing the carbon tetrachloride and other chemicals around the burning attic.

A huge cloud of yellow smoke arose - and the fire was out. Such a quantity of the gas that destroys the oxygen in the air had been liberated that firemen were unable to enter the attic for almost an hour. When they did so, they found the rafters badly burned and the joists charred nearly in two, but there was no flame.

Entire damage to the fine home was only a few hundred dollars. If water had been thrown on the flames, leaking through the ceilings and floors, the damage would have necessarily been great.

Judge Head, whose home was jeopardized, declared the new firefighting methods a revelation. During all the years he was mayor of Louisville, Ky., he said, he had never seen so serious a fire extinguished with so little damage.

CLEARWATER - Ed C. Wright, local bond broker, yesterday purchased the Belleview-Biltmore Hotel. Wright said the price was around $250,000 and he had no immediate plans for operation.

The hotel was owned by the Kirkeby interests in Chicago, who recently bought and opened the famous Stevens Hotel, Chicago.

During the past year, the big hotel of more than 500 guest rooms was occupied by the Army Air Forces.

Prior to the occupation by the Army, much of the hotel furniture and equipment was moved out. Some of it was sent to the Stevens Hotel.

The property includes two 18-hole golf courses, swimming pool, large barracks, a building for employees, warehouses and other structures. The grounds cover about 300 acres.

The hotel was built a little more than 50 years ago by Henry Plant, head of the Plant system of land and railroads.

For years, the hotel was the largest wooden structure in the world.

The railroad, until a few years ago, had a private switch into a hotel depot for the private cars of guests. The roster of the hotel's guests carried the names of the country's leading millionaires.

For many years, it was the winter home of Kennesaw Mountain Landis, czar of baseball. George Ade, famous Indiana novelist, also made his winter home there for years.

The Biltmore hotel system bought the property in 1919 and it became known as the Belleview-Biltmore. It was operated for several years by the late Charles A. Judkins, vice president and general manager. Later, the hotel was leased to Frank Reagan until it was bought by the Kirkeby interests.

At one time, the hotel was sold in a foreclosure suit on the steps of the courthouse.

CLEARWATER - The Civil Service Board has scheduled an examination for a Negro recreation supervisor for 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at the civil service office, 800 Drew St.

To qualify for the position, an applicant must have at least one year of continuous residence in Florida and currently reside within the area prescribed by the Civil Service Board. Applicants must have a college degree or the equivalent in education and experience.

Salary range for the position is from $159 to $183 biweekly. Applications must be filed by 5 p.m. Nov. 2.

[Last modified November 6, 2005, 02:23:53]