South Danvers Wizard, 2/24/1864, p. 2/5
THE GREAT FIRE IN GLOUCESTER – Description as it appeared in the Gloucester Telegraph.

South Danvers Wizard, 2/24/1864, p. 2/6
“Thursday, February 18th, 1864, will ever stand forth prominently in the annals of Gloucester, as one of the most calamitous days ever experienced by our community….”  Reprint from the Gloucester Telegraph.

South Danvers Wizard, 5/11/1864, p. 2/3
SERIOUS FIRE – “Almost half-past four o’clock last Wednesday morning fire was discovered in the Bark Mills of Mr. Joseph Jacobs, located on Mason street in South Danvers, and before the flames could be extinguished the whole establishment was in ruins, entailing a loss to Mr. Jacobs of about $2500, on which, we regret to say, he has no insurance.  The mills contained much valuable machinery, a great deal of which is spoiled.  There was also leather belonging to Messrs. Thomas Proctor and Richard Smith, valued at several hundred dollars, which was destroyed.  It is supposed that the fire was the result of accident, as it took in a part of the mills remote from the furnaces.”
See CORRECTION, South Danvers Wizard 5/18/1864, p.2/1 below..

South Danvers Wizard, 5/11/1864, p. 2/3
ACCIDENTAL FIRE – “The house of Mr. Jaques, a few steps in the rear of the Naumkeag House, was partially destroyed by fire last Thursday afternoon.  The building was damaged to the extent of $200. Other damage, to personal property, about $50.  No insurance.  Fire was supposed to have taken from the imperfect adjustment of the funnel to the chimney.”

South Danvers Wizard, 5/18/1864, p. 2/1
CORRECTION – “The report published in our last, that Mr. Jaques’ house, which was partially destroyed by fire, was not insured, proves to be incorrect.  We learn that it was insured at the Holyoke Office for $350, - more than enough to cover the loss.”

South Danvers Wizard, 5/25/1864, p. 2/6
“Last Saturday noon, a carriage house on Central Street, belonging to Mr. George M. Teel, was discovered to be on fire, but it was soon subdued by a few buckets of water.  It probably caught by sparks from an adjoining chimney.”

South Danvers Wizard, 6/1/1864, p. 2/3
SEVERE FIRE – “The alarm of fire last Friday forenoon, at 10-l/2 o’clock, was caused by the burning of the stable of Mr. George M. Teel, on Central Street, in this town, occupied by himself and Mr. F. Burnham.  The fire appears to have originated in a parcel of hay in the lower part of the stable, and was probably caused by sparks from the chimney of the adjoining tannery of Mr. Henry Poor.  There were in the stable at the time three horses, two belonging to Mr. D. D. Hart of Woburn, and one to Gen. [William] Sutton of this town, which were rescued – one, however, with great difficulty, and  two or three tons of hay, which was destroyed.  The dwelling home of Mr. Teel, the upper part of which is occupied by Mr. Burnham, and which connects with the barn, was considerably damaged, both by fire and water, and was saved only through great exertions on the part of the firemen.  Nearly all the furniture was removed in the outset, and considering the confusion and excitement always attending a fire of this nature, was not damaged as much as we have known it to be in similar cases.  Undoubtedly this was owing in a great measure to the exertions of the Fire Club Association – an institution which no town or city should be without.  We understand that the stable, shed and carriage house were insured for $700 and the house $1300, in the Hampden Office, Springfield.  Mr. Teel also had $300 insurance on his furniture, which will not more than cover the damage.  His whole loss will not fall far short of $8000. Mr. F. Burnham’s loss will be full $300.
     An accident occurred to two of the hosemen of Volunteer Engine Company of this town.   While they were at work in the second story of the stable, the floor suddenly gave away, carrying them down among a large pile of wood, badly bruising them, but with no internal injury.  Their names were George W. Gray and William A. Hildreth, - this former a returned soldier, wounded at Bull Run and the latter a son of Mr. Paul Hildreth. Both of them had a narrow escape.  A servant girl of Mr. Teel’s, at the commencement of the fire, leaped out of the second story window, thinking that egress by the doors was shut off, spraining herself considerably. Our fire department were promptly on hand, and a portion of the Salem firemen, together with the steamer Wm.Chase, and engines No. 3 and 4 from that city, were present and aided in extinguishing the flames.”

South Danvers Wizard, 6/22/1864, p. 2/1
ALARM OF FIRE! – “We learn from the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department that there was quite a commotion, about 3 o’clock on Sunday morning, occasioned by an alarm of fire in the neighborhood of the [Lexington] Monument [Washington and Main streets].  A bright light was seen in a southwesterly direction, showing signs of a great conflagration nearby.  All of the denizens of that region hastened to their windows and shouted anxiously, 
     ‘Where is it? Where’s the fire? GO and get the engines.’ And such like exclamations.  The men had hardly time to pull on their nether garments and the fairer sex to flatten their noses against the window panes, before it was discovered that the supposed conflagration was only the bright rays of the descending full moon!  The cry of fire ceased, and that of ‘all out’ was raised, but with small thanks to the Fire Department or the new steam engine.”