Losses that will exceed $100,000 resulted from an early morning fire that destroyed the Masonic Temple business block of Montoursville.

Starting in the kitchen of Lundy’s Lunchroom, 340 Broad Street, Montoursville at 1:50 a.m. the flames swept rapidly on the south side of the street, consuming nine business places, and making five families homeless.

The fire wiped out Lundy’s Lunchroom, Chester Weaver’s confectionary and pool room. Lyon’s Shoe Repair Shop, the barber shop operated by L.B. and G.M. Barrett, George Bennett and Sons Hardware Store, the George Roof news agency, the office of D.C. Dunheim, dentist, the quarters of Eureka Lodge #334 F &AM, and apartments occupied by Harry N. Hester and Edgar Scaife.

Extensive damage was done to the home of Walter J. Landon at 342 Broad Street and to the office building of George W. Bennett and Son Coal and Lumber Company. These places represent the extreme limit of the conflagration.

Five companies from Williamsport, South Williamsport, Hughesville and Muncy responded to a call for assistance which the borough police officer, Ted G. Roof, who reached the scene before an alarm was sounded, went out. They remained in service until 7 o’clock.

The Montoursville volunteer company was in action at the fire seven minutes after the alarm. It was still playing a stream of water on the smoldering ruins at 10:30 this forenoon.

Early estimates of the loss are placed at around $100,000. Seth Bennett, president of George Bennett and Son announced this morning that he directed workmen who were cleaning he coal and lumber offices, that orders for coal and lumber would be filled as usual.