The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-24
THE CLYDE FIRE.
Its Cause is a Mystery--Business
Immediately Resumed.

A view of the 5. III. Greene a. Sons
plant, as it now stands, is an example of
the efficacy of organized methods for the
handling and extinguishing of fire. The
buildings of the firm cover a large ex-
panse of land, the different structures in
close proximity to each other, as the exi-
gencies of the business demand and many
of them of wood. The fire, which broke
out suddenly, and which is attributed to
spontaneous combustion, was one OF the
most rapid and devouring confagrations
ever seen in this portion OF the country.
No sooner had the cry OF fire been heard
over the place, than high hames were
covering every outline of the building.
The structure known as the black dye
house, where the fire broke out, was con-
nected with another, the fancy dye
house, the two being $50 feet long,
3S feet wide. with post Is feet
in height Both these buildings
were DESTROYED. But, those grouped
within few feet of the ones burned are
saved, almost uninjured. That this is
true the members of the firm say is wholly
due to the well-directed efforts, and the
faithful services of the River Point and
the Phenix fire departments, and the as
sistance by way of loaned hose from negh-
boring and friendly manufacturing com
panies.
Mr.. Frank Greene spoke some gracious
ana kindly words for those who came to
the aid of the company, and expressed 1t
as his belief that had there been no organ
lied method of fighting fire, the plant
would now be represented by ashes, as
pertains to its buildings The black dye
house was completed last spring, while
the fancy dye-house has only been erected
since 1856
In both these buildings there was
quantity Of fine machinery, some OF 1T inn
ported; the greater part of it is ruined and
useless. The two departments burned out
were not running very full at this time.
1t is also fortunate that the industry will
not be crippled, as the black and fancy
shades dyeing can be carried on to some
extent in other departments of the plant.
Neither is il expected any employees OF the
firm will be thrown out of work by the
fire.
The fire broke ont at 1890 A. NJ, and
was under control in an hours time, and
the flames wholly extinguished half
hour later. There were fifteen streams OF
water constantly pouring on the flames.
The PheniX fire department took their
station on the Birch iaill side of the river
and carried their line of hose across the
stream where they were able to do excel
lent service.
Young Mr. Greene said to the News re-
porter that it was due to their efforts that
the silk dye house was saved from de-
struction The loss by this one hours
fire will reach $4,000, and is fully pro-
tected in mutual insurance companies.
Tne firm have not yet decided whether
the buildings will be replaced at once, or
some time more distant.
In 1871 very disastrous fire visited this
place, totally destroying the important
bleacheries, which happily were at this
fire left unharmed. IL is said i'm business
circles that so we'll is the plant protected
against fire, and so unremitting is the
vigilence exercised to prevent its ever
occurring that it is improbable that in
any forseen or ordinary channel could it
have happened. But the cause of its ex
istence this time was beyond the subtle
calculations of man, and was and is now
mystery. BY the middle of the after
noon business was progressing in its usual
routine, and a stranger visiting the place
would have seen no sign of aught but the
common, every day phases of life in great
industry