The Portland daily press., 1882-10-30
FIRE AT FALL RIV Err,
The Flint Mill Burned to the
Ground.
FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE THROWN
OUT OF EMPLOYMENT.

FALL RIVER, Mass, Oct. 28.-About $50 D.
M, fire discovered in the picker house of the
Flint mill. When first discovered the flames
were issuing from the belt box of the main
belt in the engine room in the lower story of
the picker house, and spread with lightning
rapidity along the belt to the upper story and
in less time than it takes to describe it were
bursting forth in every story. The mill was
magnificent structure of granite, five stories
high, built in 1872, and constructed and equip
ped at a cost of over $800000 The main
building was 300 feet long by "a feet wide. The
picker house, which adioned the centre east
side of the mill, was also of granite and three
stories high, with engine and boiler house on
the first floor. When the fire was first dis
covered, what few employees were in the mill
made every effort to extinguish the flames but
without success. 1t being Saturday afternoon
all the employees had gone home nearly an
hour before, and so the regular fire depart
ment of the mill was not available to handle
the force pumps and hydrants with which the
mill was supplied In fifteen minutes after
the alarm was sounded, which was directly
after the fire was discovered, the lower story
of the main mill was burning fercey; flames
were issuing from the foot and every floor of
the mill on the side next the picker house was
also burning. The flames followed the main
belt through every floor, caught on the belts in
every room, and flew along the floors, oily
waste, lint and cloth adding fuel to the flames.
Fifteen minutes after the first alarm the
second was sounded, immediately followed by
the third calling out the entire fire depart
ment, and extra horses were sent for reserve
engines and hose reels not in active commits
sion, and every piece OF fire apparatus in the
city was put in service. Less than half an
hour after the first alarm it became apparent
that the mill was doomed.
Directly opposite the burning mill was the
Wampanoag mill, another massive granite
structure, separated from it by only $50 feet. A
strong northeast wind blew cloud of burning
cinders straight against it and the mill began
to blacken with the heat. 1t seemed at one
time as if this mill was also doomed and word
was telegraphed to New Bedford, Taunton
and Newport for assistance The fremen
worked heroically and deluged the sides of the
mill with well directed streams of water, and
saved the mill.
Meanwhile the FIRE raging in the flint kept
gaining headway in spite of efforts to check it.
Soon after five o'clock the entire south end of
the mill was burning the floors began to fall
and the walls fell in. Then the wind changed
to the east, and the fire which had been burst
ing to fitful jets from the north half leaped
from every window and the entire structure
was in blaze.
The scene at half was five was magnificent
beyond description. The wind carried blaz-
ing cloud of sparks a distance of nearly a
quarter OF mile Flames were leaping fully
fifty feet in the air, and the entire mill was
seething furnace against which streams of
water were of no avail. Scores of streams
were directed at the fire, but the water before
reaching the burning tlmbers was caught by
the flames, hurled back and went skywards in
great clouds of steam.
FALL RIVER, Oct. 29.-The ruines of the
Flint mill are still burning. Of the main mill
only the lower sides aud part of the south end
remain, and portions of these threaten to fall.
OF the picker house in the the upper two
stories and gone. The lov er story with engine
and boiler room is comparatively uninjured all
the machinery of the main mill lies with roof
and floors in the basement mass of burning
debris. Loss as now given is about 800, 900
with an insurance amounting to 100000
placed in mutual companies Besides this in
surance On the mill there was an insurance of
$4,000 on the profits, and the mill will receive
800 for each Lday of stoppage The directors
will hold meeting tomorrow, at which the
question of rebuilding will probably be acted
on The present outlook, considering the
heavy insurance, is that companies will under
take to rebuild the mill instead of paying the
policies, as it could be replaced at considerably
less than 100000.