The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-02-25
a prnLIc cALAMlrY.

Durning ofIG0bbs, DrOckuuier 4 Co.'s
south wheeling Glass Works Yester.
day-Lass 30, OOO-91O Persons IN rOwn
ontorEmpIOyment.
One Of the most destructive fires that has
occurred In this vicinity for along time, and
one that Is wider reaching in it. evil elects
than any for still longer period, was that in
the Eighth ward yesterday, which resulted
in the destruction Of tho main part Of the
glass works Of Hobbs, Drockunler & Co, and
the consequent throwing ont Unemployment,
for MI uncertain period, of between three
and ionr hundred men md boys
The fire started ut five o'clock. II Origna-
ted In the southeastern part OF the factory
proper, where the roof caught fire from an
0verhcatcd iron pipe leading from one of the
glory hole" up along the furnace stack
through tho roof
THE FIRST SPARK
In the wooden lining Of the roof was quickly
noticed, and the employees made an attach.
mGnt with large hose. Unfortunately, tho
pressure Of the water was so weak that the
stream barely ran out Of the nozzle and
though ladder was procured and the hose
taken up within six or eight feet Of the burn.
Ing roof, the stream still would not reach It,
Gradually the spark increased 10 blaze, and
the blaze crGpt along the boards gaining
Roadway with fearful rapidity. Had there
been any thing like the ordinary pressure in
the water pipes, the fire could have been
extIngrlished ut any time within twenty
minutes after its inception, with the facilities
ut hand, and without calling on the fire de.
partment help.
at ten minutes past five o'clock
A GENERAL ALARM
was sent In from the box at the works. The
flatHes continued to sdti teGdwdy until the
entire interior OF the roof wns sheet OF
fame. The roof was Of tin, laid on boards
These had become exceedingly dry, and the
flames being confined TO them by the metal
Sheathing licked up the wooden portion Of
the roof like finder.
The men soon saw that any effort to save
tho roof wOuld'be vain. and went to work 10
remove tho presses aud other movable ma.
chinery and tools. These were about all
saved, and deposited in place Of security
outside OF the factory.
the FIRE DEPARTMENT
responded promptly. The Eight ward reel
wis on tie spot almost Instantly upon the
receipt Of the alarm, and never made better
time In securing plug connection. Here
their cXertiOns were bailled by the fact that
not u drop OF water was 10 be had. The en-.
ginGs and other hose companies made good
time, with one exception, which was uu-
nvoidable, but found little or no water to
fight the flames with. Their efforts we're well
directed, however and they heroicaliy made
the most Of the resources at hand. When II
full supply OF water was to be had they did
valuable work in checking and extinguish.
ing the fire
The fire ragged with undated fury until
seven o'clock when 1t was under control.
TuE BUILDINGS BURNED
included the factory building proper. large
brick structure, the mould shop, adjoining
on the south, and several minor buildings il
contact with these. The Office and sample
rooms, and the packing house, in the west
wing, were saved, us were the etching room,
warehouses md other buildings separated
from the burned portion by an open space
OF some rods
The stock and most of the machinery waS
also saved. The engine house was burned,
and the engine and boilers somewhat dam.
aged. The loss is placed by Mr.. G. W.
lirockunier, of the firm, at about $4,000.
Mr.. VIM. leighton, jr., also member Of the
firm, made somewhat careful estimate of
the probable loss, and concluded that ii
would reach about this sum. The insurance
upon the burned portion Of the works is Us
follows: