100 YEARS AGO
8th arson in 4 days
Confronted with the eighth suspicious fire in four days, Schenectady police adopted a “shoot to kill” protocol and squads of reserves were ordered to have their guns with them at all times. Commissioner of Public Safety John C. Cole announced a $500 (approximately $8,367 today) reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fires, which were all thought to be connected. The most recent fire was set in a garage in the rear of 1611 Peek St., far from the riverfront district locations of the seven previous fires — five warehouses, a broom factory and a junk shop. Even though arson was believed to be the cause, fire or police departments couldn’t find proof of how they all started.
— Times Union, Feb. 13, 1922