From Saguache Crescent Jan. 7, 1926 

One of the most disastrous fires that Saguache ever experienced occurred about one P.M. Sunday morning when the Saguache Theatre was gutted by fire. The blaze was first noticed by a roomer at the Saguache Hotel and the alarm was given and in a short time most of the roomers at the hotel and citizens generally of the town turned out.

Unfortunately the fire apparatus did not respond very promptly and the blaze got a good start before the engine and pump were ready for action.

The business was operated and owned by Mrs. W. A. McEntyre and was only covered by a small amount of insurance. However, preparations are already being made to open a picture show by the proprietor, which will probably be opened in temporary quarters until the building can be repaired or rebuilt. It is not known just how the fire started, but the general opinion is that it started in the operating room and when the blaze caught the paper and canvas on the ceiling it quickly spread over the entire building.

All of the equipment including the machine, piano and seats were destroyed and the building so badly burned that many doubt it would be advisable to try and repair it. The property was valued at $5,000 and only about $1,000 insurance was carried.

(Thanks to Alice Warlow)

Sunday Night, January 4, 1926

A special meeting of the Town Board and citizens in general led by Mayor H. B. Means to plan more effective means of fighting fire, and outline a plan of cooperation of the Town Board with the Volunteer Fire Department. This was occasioned by the burning of the Picture Show Theatre last night.

The Mayor and entire Town Board were in attendance together with about fifteen representative citizens.

The Mayor stated the purpose of the meeting and Secretary R. R. Tarbell read the minutes of the last meeting of the Volunteer Fire Dept. held Jan. 31, 1923.

R.R Tarbell, as Town Trustee, then moved that the Town Board appoint a responsible man to (1) charge the Chemical Fire Engines as often as required, (2) Examine the big Fire Engine weekly and keep it properly oiled, the pump packed and any other necessary adjustments, (3) Test the pump by actual operation every thirty days and (4) Inspect the hose and trucks every two weeks. This motion was seconded and carried.

Trustee B. G. Gotthelf then moved that the Mayor appoint a joint committee of six, consisting of three citizens, members of Fire Dept and three members of the Town Board to map out a plan of procedure for the care and operation of the fire-fighting apparatus and report to the Town Board at its next regular meeting. This motion was carried as supplementary to the motion of R. R. Tarbell.

The Mayor named on the above committee: Trustees: W. M. Slane, B. G. Gotthelf, W. O. Hammond, Firemen: Ray Ellis, W. J. Werner, Stanley Donaldson.

The mayor was authorized by the board to employ Max Werner to discharge and refill with new solution the chemical fire engines.  This is to be done tomorrow, Jan 5th.

No further business appearing, the meeting adjourned.
W. L. Hammond, Town Clerk