The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-15
THE BOILER SHOP BURNED.
FIRE AT THE LOCOMOTIVE AND
MACHINE WORKS.

The Los. yariou,IY Enthusiastically In
,ued, Howeycr-Besutiful Cenfiagra-
,ion-sesrcity Of Water Confusion In
the Alarms aud Consequent Delay.
Last night the new boiler shop OF the
| Richmond Locomotive and Machine Works
was destroy ed by fire.
The flames were first discovered by the
night shift at work in the machine shops
about 0:4O, but owing TO several alarms
being received at the iire-alarm station al
the same time, box *, which is the private
alarm Of the works, was not sounded until
0:57.
Upon arriyin at the works the Fire De-
nartment was somewhat delayed IN max
ing aDy Roadway owing to the scarciiy VI
water. Men were at once detailed 10 dani
ShOckOe creek, and by thls means were eh
abled 20 get two steamer streams IN play
| In addition 10 this. the employees at Work
when the fire originated had gotten the
tank hose into action. ,,
| The DESTROYED building was Of wood win
| brick walls. and was especially erected lOi
buildine the boilers OF the battle-shlp
.sTexas.v Some Of the machinery IN TINS
shop was imported from England Tor work
| on the ships boilers, but as lar as could De
ascertained only portion OF u was jam
aged. None Of the machinery, except the
boilers were under construction in this shop.
AHARD BLOW.
President Trigg. upon being approached
upon the subject by THE lines man.
stated that although the loss would De
hard bios 20 them, vet II was encouraging
| IL. fffll IL
surance. The bulk Of the work was very
heavy machinery, and he hoped was only
| slighiiV damaged. Work will be COM
meuced IN the morning on the removal OF
| the debris. and the building is 10 be rebuilt
| as speedlly as possible. No trouble Is an
ticipated with the Government on account
| Of delay to the Texas.
| Superintendent Ray VINO was near
stated that all the drawings and plans we're
saved. and the rebuilding OF the SHOPS ana
| replacing Of the DESTROYED machinery WOulu
be rapidly pushed 10 completion. 1--WE
have employed in the boier-shops," ne con-
tinued. ''about $50 men, but none OF them
| will be thrown out Of employment; IN TACT
YOU may say that we VIII need more men 10
20 10 work tomorrow morning clearing up
the ruins
EXTENT OF THE LOSS.
While the exact amount Of the loss can
not be ascerisined, it Will probably amount
To- about 100000, more or less.
The cause Of the fire seems 10 be shrOuued
in mystery. The employees in the boiler
shops were at work until L. NJ, ana IL
was after their departure when the machln-
lists in the adjoining shop discovered Names
issuing from various parts OF the Dulldlns'
Possibly the first man TO discover the nre
WAS Mr. L. Grant, a mschinist at Work on
the marine wOrS.
Different alarms were Immediately sent
by various parties. which doubtless caused
the confusion and delay in the rep0nse Ol
the Department.
IL was undoubtedly a large IRE, but the
magnitude If the works il such, that Whie
the boiler shop is destroyed, there sun re-
mains unipiured the erecting, machine,
foundry, pattern, carpenter, blacksmith
paint shops, drawing 70 IN. and Omces'
WATER SUPPLY.
There seems to be some difference Of opih'
ion al to the water supply. The authorities
in charge Of the Fire Department state thal
| there was n scarcity, and That IN that &C
count. although five steamers were on the
ground. but two Of them could be used. On
the other band, the locomotive works people
saw that with the water from their tank
(which was kept full by the steam-pump),
| from the plug located on the grounds, ana
| from ShockOe creek, an ample supply was
insured. In addition to this, plug on the
opposite side OF the track, they claim, could
have been used, but was not, on account OF
railway Interruptions.
Many citizens assisted the hremen IN
| their work. Several youths with SHINY SIN
hats and patent-leather shoes were seen
dragging the hose across the muddy grOuno,
and one individual at least was rather
chilly reminded by q sudden turn OF the
hose that PLAYING fireman on cold night
vas not the most pleasant occupation posi-
| bic. Some danger was apprehended from
the nearness of the powder magazine, but,
| fortunately the wind was in the other d.
rection. Thousands Of people gathered up
on the surrounding hills and watched with
interest the truly beautiful spectacle. Al
one time there was shower OF sparks a.
heavy as a severe snow.