Morning journal and courier., 1888-01-18
YESTERDAYS FIRE.

An ExpIosion in One Department of
 Fitch's Causes COnsternatiOn The |
 Flames Spread Rapidly-several of
 the Worklnen Enjured-Loss About l
 5,OO0-TO Rebuild at Once.
 The fire at the w. 6 E. T. Fitch manufac | tory on East street, foot of Wooster, yester day afternoon, did about $15, 900 damage. Tke bells struck for the fire about 1:30. It was then showing, but little snow had then fallen and the fremen made quick time to the scene. The fire was started by an ex- plosion in japanning oven. The explosion shook the building and caused some conster- nation among the workmen, who fled precip- tately, but soon returned. The report sounded like the explosion of bomb. The japanning oven was in the second story of little building in an ell part back of the main building, which fronts on East street. The explosion blew out number of the windows and the shattered glass fell all around. At first it was feared that several of the men had been killed, but fortunately no one was dangerously injured Michael Ledwitch, who lives in the eastern part of the city, and Patrick Keefe, who lives on Wallace street near St. Patrick's church were severely hurt by flying fragments thrown
 
 cut open. physician sewed up the wounds soon afterward. Keefe was badly cut about the face and there were others who sustained slighter injuries. The flames spread with wonderful rapidity, but the fire men confined the flames to the main build ing of this department of the firms business, where about thirty men are employed The upper part of the main building on East street and of the ell part were burned out completely together with the roofs. The greatest damage was done by the water damaging the stock of finished goods, large quantity of which were stored on the first floor. The firm manufacture largely in this department Of their works curry combs and harness snaps and other small hardware 8 large supply of which were damaged by wa ter. smoke, etc. The spring shop department of the concern, which is in the rear of the burned premises, was not touched by the fire, and the firm has another building where saddlery hardware is made which was also untouched by the devouring element, being situated on East street about one hundred feet north of where the fire ragged, the Buck board shop, which first reports said was on fire, being between the two The cause of the fire is unknown. It originated, as stated owing to the explosion, but what caused the explosion is only matter of conjecture No fire passes into the iapanning ovens, which are heated by hot air, but it is coniectured | that gas might have generated in the ovens
 
 the explosion occurred like an avalanche, | nearly blinding the men, and great confusion ensued of short duration The company's safe and books were not damaged, but the office is wrecked. About thirty hands are thrown out of employment by the fire The ! firm employs about seventy more in the other departments and work for them may also have ! burned was of brick, seventy-five feet long ! and two stories high. The firm own their | own manufactories,
 MT. E. T. Fitch said last evening that as the office was all dripping with water they could not gain access to the safe, in which | the insurance policies were kept, and that he | could not make any exact or approximate es innate of the loss, but that it was fully GOV I cred by insurance, which was effected through I the Norths' agency. The only reason that he could give for the starting of the fire was that 1t was due to the heavy atmosphere pre- | through the extra hues provided especially to prevent any explosion. About 100 men were ! employed in the establishment. It will be ! rebuilt as soon possible.
 THE FIRE STEAMERS.
 The bells struck "out" at about 3:45. Steamer No. remained after the other l steamers had left to be of further service if
 needed. When the steamers returned the
 wheeling was heavy owing to the continued ! snow fall.
 Steamer No. wrenched an axle badly in | going to the fire. When turning the corner out of Edwards into State the wheels slipped | and veered the steamer heavily against the horse car tracks. twisting the axle consider | ably. Yhe steamer after returning to the house from working at the fire was put of duty, in order to be sent to Henry Hale & l Co.'s for repairs. Old steamer No. 2, which was temporarily in quarters at steamer 2's house, is at No. 8's house on duty in place | of 8.