The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-14
THE SUNDAY BLAZF.
The Plant of the Baltimore United oil Com
panX DESTROYED by Fire.

pany Destroyed by Fire.
Three thousand people witnessed the conha-
grafton in Manchester Sunday afternoon. 1t
was one Of tho fercest fires that the firemen OF
that CITY have had 10 contend with for a long
time. The Baltimore United OH Company s
now plant. corner Of Second and Stockton
streets was the scene OF the disaster. ana the
establishment was almost entirely destroyed.
10 was 4:2O O'Clock when the tire bell rang the
First ward alarm. but the fire had been burning
some little tlme,before. as dense smoke arising
from the building testified. The Alert Fire
Company PROMPTLY responded, but the flames
had madc good Roadway when they arrived on
the scene.
Ihe building in which the fire originated was
what was known as the store-hOuse, being q
brick building consisting of a Easement and
one story. The windows and doors were Gov
cred Nth iron shutters, which almost made 1t
air-tlghi and as these could not be forced open
10 was very difficult 10 get AZ the flames al all.
he fire started in the basement, where there
were a LARGE number Of barrels Of oil stored
The tremCn applied the streams 20 the small
Easement windows, but the water of course. had
but very little effect upon the burnlng oil.
Chief Pullcr, OF tho Richmond fre Depart
mcnt was telephoned TO. and few minutes
after u clock Dc camo over with steamer ana
hose carriage. The engine was stationed along
side the canal, near the shnck factory and n
short time 10 was hard ~ work throwing pow
eriul stream on tho building.
The waste OIL from the building flows through
pipe TO the ditch alongside the Richmond and
Danylle railroad track near 10y. When the bar
rels ln the building exploded the oil ran through
the pipe into the ditch This soon gnited. and
the spectators witnessed the curious sight Of
flames on The running water. which extended
along the ditch for some distance.
Within few feet of the burned building sew
eral thousand empty oil barrels were piled in
the yard. but by steady application Of the hose
stream hey were prevented from burning. just
across the street were the two large tanks and
the company stables. but fortunately the wind
was not blowing that way, and the FIRE did not
communicate TO them. The horses and mules
were lrmrd loose in the street and were after
ward, captured A stream was kept laying on
the Spike (ompanys buildings, near by. and
several dwelling houses IN close proximity. and
they we're thus saved from the fate OF the oil
house.
so INSURANCE.
The origin Of the fire is not known. though it
is thought probable II WAS caused by spOntan-
cons combustion.
The loss is estimated at 10000, and there was
no insurance.
The cost of insurance on bindings of such
character as this is SO heavy that the companies
erect The most substantial structures and us
ually take the risks themselves.
business viii not 10 interrupted. as the COM
p0uy IFS ready 10 iill all orders The burnt por-
tlOns Of the house VIII be rebuilt al once.
1nc Richmond Office OF the company is No.
1910 east Cary street. Mr.. l.. G.. West is manager
He SAID yesterday that the actual loss couli not
be a-cert8ined until an inventory could be
taken: that he desired TO thank the Manchester
and Richmond iremen for their splendid ef-
forts TO save the property.