100 years ago, 1915
Chief Moriarty of the Lewiston fire department might well put the signal alarm system on indefinite suspension, as a result of the capers it cut Monday morning, in connection with a fire that was in Auburn. The alarm registered and rung 114 and the fire trucks made their fastest way to the fair grounds, one of the farthest runs in the city district. Finding no fire there, the department cut across lots to box 13 near the Bates college campus which had also been tolling and tooting on the system. Again they were fooled and chased to box 15, Bardwell street beyond the Bates campus. But the department had its work for nothing. The strain on the horses was severe for the run across country was made at fast time, as it was not known whether there was a fire. This spree of the combined Lewiston-Auburn fire alarm system is becoming extended and occurrences like Monday are getting to be frequent.

50 years ago, 1965
Lewiston Fire Chief Roland G. Dumais today urged local homeowners to “please” note two very important items which concern his department and other public safety officials. Now that local homeowners will be puttering around their properties in good weather, Dumais urged them to make sure their house number is placed in an easily seen spot on the building. “Make sure that there are big house numbers on your home,” he said, noting that in times of emergency, finding the right place in the quickest possible time is sometimes a matter of life or death.

25 years ago, 1990
A highly trained and equipped team of experts who would respond to hazardous chemical spills may be in Androscoggin County’s future plans, says Peter V. Gagnon, director of the Androscoggin Emergency Management Agency. The county, he said, has a “severe deficiency in control and containment ability,” when it comes to hazardous chemical releases.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be edited.