In the 1960s and ’70s — before strict building codes, and regular inspections and enforcement by the Fire Department — there were spectacular fires at Westport businesses.
Carousel Toy Store burned twice: in Compo Acres Shopping Center (along with Franklin Simon and others), then again in Sconset Square (at the time, called Sherwood Square; the Paint Bucket next door burned to the ground too).
The furniture store opposite Brooks Corner went up in a memorable winter blaze in 1976; it was a midweek afternoon, and downtown was thronged.
Several years earlier, the Westport Lanes bowling alley caught fire in the middle of the night. Unlike Carousel or the furniture store (now The Gap), it was rebuilt.
Another large fire took out the entire block between Taylor Place and the entrance to the Jesup Green parking lot, across from what was then the Westport Library (today it’s the downtown Starbucks, and others).
On the evening of Saturday, November 10, 1974, the businesses — Muriel’s Diner at one end, Klaff’s Lighting at the other, and a jewelry store, smoke shop, shoe repair, plus 2nd-floor offices and apartments — caught fire.
The aftermath of the “Klaff’s fire.” (Photo courtesy of Gail Comden)
The blaze did at least $1 million in damage, and cut power to much of downtown.
The block was rebuilt, and Klaff’s returned. (The space is now South Moon Under.)
But a historic block — housing the very first, pre-Morris Jesup library, among others) — was gone.
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I remember all those fires and watching some of them. I don’t remember any fires on the other side of the Post Road bridge near Riverside Ave. or Wilton Road but there may have been some. Downtown fires used to be common in any town or city, maybe still are.
I was sitting in the Ship’s Lantern (100 yards to the east) when the Klaffs fire erupted. Incredibly it was the evening of the Fireman’s Ball.
Just a little information on the Westport Lanes fire. The insurance company looked into the possibility that it was intentionally set. I guess they want to rule out something like that on any fire. But when they discovered how much money we were making, they quickly dropped that “investigation.” We rebuilt the business and added the Club 300 cocktail lounge! Along with the golf range and miniature golf, and the batting cages, we were basically Westport’s entertainment center.
Jack you and your family were awesome
You helped create so many fun times and memories
For so many people.
Arnie tried but could never replicate Westport lanes and club 300.
Those were the best days and will always live on so many people’s memories.
Karen, Thank you for your kind words! Westport had that small town atmosphere back then. Date night was playing miniature golf and then maybe heading to the Crest Drive-In for a hot dog “with the works.” Or if your timing was right, you bumped into Ray, the Good Humor man, in the golf range parking lot.
Some would suggest Westport business owners were early in on the insurance fraud game.
The Weston Fire Department was called down by The Westport Fire Department under our mutual aid agreement to provide extra manpower and equipment to fight the fire at the furniture store. We set up our largest pumper to draft water out of the river to increase the supply of water needed to put the fire out. It was quite a memorable day for all those involved and all those watching us battle that fire.
I certainly recall the drama of the Sloan’s Furniture fire. Just a few weeks earlier, my mother had purchased a groovy ’70s-style rust-colored sectional sofa there.