New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-07-13
ORIGIN or CANDY EXPLOSIONS.
STARTING IN THE pRYING-RooM-wHATA MANU-
FACTURER SAYS

STARTING IN THE DRYING-RooM-wHArA MANU-
FACTURER SAYS
Broken mixed candy, sugar plum- peppermint sticks
and a.Ty are commonplace enough 70 freed contempt;
but the destructive fires which have caused loss OF life
and nroperv within the last few years and which have
originated in the manufacture of candy, are sufficient
arguments against the complete innocence of the main
ustenance of the American infant In the latter part
of 1877 the factory of Greenfield n Cos at No IS
Barclay-st caught fire, and the explosion which oc-
cured while the fire in progress killed several per
sons and injured numl er of others. At that time
rigid investigation into the causes OF the fire was made
bv the Fire Marshal and when it was concluded the
authorities were satisfied that there had been an ex-
po.ion hut of what nature they not prepared to
state Since that time two other fires have broken out
in the Greenfield factory the last few days ago.
and while there no loss of life there was sufficient
mystery attending them 70 call for an investigations
In addition to the Greenfield fires several explosions
have occurred in other factories, notably in those which
manufacture the socalled French candy, but in each
case the explosion has been attributed to that
vcnient scapegoat kerosene. A TRIBUNE reporter
recently called a number of the propretors of the
candy factories in Barcayst. and lower W0osterst but
when the question was asked if they knew of anything
that was used in the business that liable to lead TO
an explosion or fire, they assumed vast deal OF sur
prise, and promptly replied in the negative. Mr.
Greenfield that he used nothing OF the KIND
Mr. Hawley of liawey Hopes, was aAtonished that
any suspicion leading to such question could have
been aroused Mr. Coleman. of Powell 4 Coleman. as
sured the reporter that he had been miSlcd and the
managers of the New York Confectionery Company and
the Palsade Manufacturing Company treated the idea
that candy had ANYTHING in to explode sheer
sense.
But one of the manufacturers did think it at
a.. in1u Vln
which, though unimporant in themselves, might lead
70 the most disastrous results He said; The part
of our factories which the greatest anxiety s
thr driving room. where, after the candy has been
monlded il is placed harden. 1t is heated by the
steam hot air system to temperature OF from l200
to 2O0J and unless it is absolutely hreprooi the dan
ger is great The fire underwriters inclined 10 hold
aloof from taking any RISKS property, aud when
policies secured is at rates far above the ordinary
ones. The mOulds which VIC use are OF powdered
starch which the most harmless substance we can
find 10 take the place of plaster OF Paris which was
used until several years ago when the Board OF Health
stopped it. The starch powder is highly in1amnabe,
and explosive and when used IN connection with
sugar, gum, hquorice, glucose, Nermce chlorldc OF
potash and the various oils and extracts which are
of candy manufacture the chances OF spontaneous
combustion not nearly small as we are inclined
have the Fire Department believe Flour dust Is, az
you aware highly inhammable and the difference
bet ween the -four dust and starch dust is not greatly
marked Then there is the danger of fermentation.
The newly moulded candy is almost as sensitive 10 the
changes Of temperature or of moisture rs lime H. and
spontaneous combustion is no empty fear among MS.
The drying roOm although every precation IL taken to
keep il clear from all deposits Of starchdust, Is gener
ally dim with the settling dust and VIC are called upon
often to use fire extinguishers The chief safe
guard that have is our ability to c0nlnc any IN
eli lent c0nfagration within the limits OF the drying
room by means of the irOn doors and castings. When
ever the smallest fash is observed hold ourselves In
readiness to leave the building. The fires which have
occurred in candy shops where they have not been
traced without shadow of doubt 10 the origin must
be attributed Ia the combustbe nature of the material
| used in manufacturing confectionery. Tho Greenfield
explosion in ls77 ungucstiOnably due 10 no Ot'f
cause, and the two three fires which have had
recently must be attributed 20 the cause.p