Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-26
BURNING OF A BISCUIT BAKERY.
Loss of Half . Million Dollars by Fire II
New York.

Loss of Half . Million Dollars by Fire in
New York.
NEW YORK, July ga disastrous fire which
occurred this morning in the so-called "fire-
proof building" Of the New York Biscuit Co.
caused half million dollars damage and threw
out of employment hundreds Of men, women
and girls.
The New York Biscuit Company, operating
the largest plant in the United States, have oc-
cuPied for only two months the new massive
six-story brick building which covers nearly
the entire block bounded by 9th and 10th ave-
nues on the east and west and by 18th and 10th
streets on the south and north.
The fire was discovered in the building ct 6
O'Clock this morning, when Simon Mcdonald,
the outside Waterman, arrived to report. As
he threw open the doors for the first workman
Joseph Sherin, the inside watohman, rushed
out crying "Fira." Without waiting to explain.
Sherin rushed to the nearest frebox.
DISCOVERY OF THE FIRE.
President J. Holmes of the company, who
was in the building, looking across q seventy
fourth-story window. The fire had started
In that portion Of the factory known
a. the plain goods department, where
crackers and biscuits Of the common
sort are manufactured. This branch is
on the corner Of the building extending 200
feet on 18th street and seventy-five feet on 10th
avenue. The FIRST second and third floors are
occupied by the ovens and bakery and pressing
machinery, the fourth and fifth contain the
store rooms for empty cases, while the Offices
are situated on the fifth floor.
The engines that responded TO the first alarm
could not cope with the flames, and a second
and third alarms were followed by a fourth.
At O'Clock 1t looked as IL the fire was
beyond control and that the entire block
was doomed. Great sheets Of flame filed
all the windows on the 10Th street
side and clouds Of smoke hung like pail about
the streets. At g O'Clock the upper four stories
were one mass Of flames. Ten minutes later
the roof fell with a crash into the burning mill.
At $50 the fire was under control and the re-
manning wings and great body Of the building
were saved.
WATCHING THE FLAMES.
All the morning President John Holmes, the
only member Of the company on hand, stood on
10th avenue eagerly watching the fremen's
efforts. When the fire was under control he
estimated that the loss would be fully $500, 900.
A great loss was caused by water.
In the cellar under the burning portion were
stored II, 900 barrels Of -four. This cellar was
two feet deep with water and the -four is Q total
loss. In another portion of the cellar were
stored hundreds Of tons Of tin. used in the man
ufacture Of packing cans. This also was dam
aged by water.
The New York Biscuit Company is the GEN.
trail depot Of great biscuit and cracker manu-
featuring company, with branches all over the
country. The largest are In Chicago, Cam
bridgeport, Mass; Grand Rapids, New Haven,
Hartford and this city. The branch here is the
largest, having a capacity Of 1000 barrels Of
-four a day. They employ here about 700 hands,
half OF whom, are girls. In the part OF the
building destroyed work 300 hands.
The New York branch was formed two years
ago by the combination Of Ave smaller COM
panies as follows: Holmes 4 Couttim, Vande-
we're 4 Holmes, Gilmore & Co., Anger Bros and
Helfeld 4 Quicker. The plant Of the New York
branch is worth 81, 500 900. This is fully COW
cred by insurance. When two months ago the
company moved into their new building the in
surance matter WAS thoroughly looked after.
An automatic sprinkler was being put in and
the insurance companies promised when this
worked perfectly to give the company o rebate
on the insurance rates paid. This sprinkler
being of the latest improved design has not yet
been fully put in. An enormous gong on the
outside Of that portion of the building which
was burned this morning was to give the alarm
in case of FIRE. Not being connected it failed
to work this morning.
While the Offices on the top floor were de-
stroyed with everything in them, fortunately
the books and papers OF the concern are safe.
Every night these are slowed in a large safe in
an adjoining building, which Is over the gate
way leading into the central court The fire
did not reach this section.
President Holmes said that while 1t would
take months to repair the destroyed depart
ment the other portion of the factory would be
In perfect running order in the course Of three
or four days.