Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-16
A NASTY FIRE.
rHB 8LRVAToR HOUSE AT TIE ''rOP" MILL
FURNACE ROASTED.
The Frem,n Work Under DifHcultits-A Pdrl-
Ous Olimb-0ns Of the Firsmsn Missing
for q lime.


terday afternoon the workmen employ
ed at the "Top Mill" blast furnace, dis
covered that the upper portion OF the
hosting house, Immediately adjoining
the furnace, and containing the eleva-
tors by means of which the furnace Is
charged, was on fire. Word was at once
despatched to the office, whence, as q
fire alarm key could not be found on the
spur of the moment, a still alarm was
telephoned to the Vigilant engine
house. A few minutes later an alarm
was sent in from box twelve, and
the hook aud ladder truck and
all Of the department north OF the
creek responded. In the meantime the
Vigilant had got to work with two
streams, after some delay had been oc-
casioned by attaching TO plug nearly
down to the ravine, neceSsltatlng the
transfer of the hose 10 plug up near
the casting house. Some delay was
also occasioned in opening this plug,
the men charged with that duty turn
the key the wrong way. BY i'll luck,
the Atlantic was caught with her horses
out in the wagon, and the engine was
somewhat behind the reel in respond
ing. 1t was not called into use, how
ever.
One line Of hose was run up through
the interior of the tall t0wer-like build
ing, while another stream was carried
by ladders to the top OF the stock house,
with the Intention of attacking the nre
on the north side, where 1t was showing
from beneath the ewes. A stiff breeze
was blowing from the southwest. how
ever, carrying the water away from the
fire in spray, and after repeated efforts,
the men had to come down aud erect
ladders to the roof OF the furnace build
ing proper, and thence To the top OF the
cupalo. The ladder elevated on The
roof was too short 10 reach the top OF
the cupalo, and Fireman Ritter, Of the
Hook and LADDER, did nervy thing In
mounting TO the topmoSt rung or
tho ladder, with rope, which he passed
over some iron supports and swung
himself on top OF the furnace. Other
firemen then followed, and the hose was
dragged up. Not Obly was this climb
periouS In itself, out the furnace top
was very hot, and the air was filled with
sulphurouS fumes, which are liable to
suffocate one not familiar with the stu
alton. While these preparations were
being made, the fire gained good deal
of Roadway, and the men inside the
building were at one time compelled 20
abandon their line Of hose, which was
dashed fast TO the stairway before they
beat haSty retreat. As soon as the
men got 10 work from the cupale, the
fire was rapidly gotten under control,
but it was not out until about four
o'clock. 1t was a particularly nasty fire
to fight.
When the men were about ready to
leave IL was discovered that Extraman
Ab. Saddler, of the Vigilant, was miss
ing, aud word was sent TO his home
and other places, ID see where he was.
IL was reported that he had not been
seen, and the firemen, supposing that
he had been overcome by the fumes
from the furnace, went TO work with a
will in the interior Of the building.
After quite a long and unsuccessful
search, it was found that Saudler had
been overcome, and had gone to the
mill engine room TO lie down until he
was better. lie was taken in charge by
his friends, aud last evening was all
right.
The fire had It's origin from the fact
that the ''bell' in the furnace had been
raised, which allowed sparks To fly out,
these being carried by the south wind
into the roof of che elevator building.
IL IS very fortunate thing that the
ire did not occur few days ago. The
furnace stopped making BcSsemer iron
about ten days ago, and made mill iron
up to yesterday, it being blown out
Monday night. Yesterday during the
progress of the fire it was feared that
the Stag in the bottom might chill, and
after some trouble it was run off.
Manager HornbroOk stated yesterday
that he could not tell what the loss was
as present, as IL depended upon the con-
dition of the interior Of the elevator
building. One cage was up al the top,
and was burned, and he supposed the
new ropes. etc, were ruined, as we'll az
all the timber work. Last night Chief
Healy said ne had been informed that
the bell OF the furnace was damaged,
possibly from the effects Of water acct
dentally thrown on it. The loss may
reach d couple of thousand dollars.