The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-22
building from Arnold B. Chace of the
Valley Falls Company

building from Arnold Is. Chace OF the
Valley Falls Company
The building was two story struc-
ture OF brick about 267 by 75 feet and
was separated from the buildings Of the
Valley Falls Company by the railroad.
while on either side of the building was
a trench. The isolation of the building
in this manner probably prevented u
more disastrous flre.
The fire starred on the second floor of
the building just over the boiler room in
the la rye room equipped with tentering
frames. which extend nearly half the
length of the building. It WAS about ten
minutes past o'clock when the fire was
discovered and the origiu is q mystery.
At 2 o'clock the WA Gilman made his
rounds and registered his visit to the
tentering room at that hour Oh the me-
chanical contrivance intended for this
purpose. AS far as he could see, every
thing was all right. "A few minutes later
while down stairs in the same end of the
building-the west end, or the end near
est the railroad, he heard pane of glass
fall out from the floor above and upon
investigating be found that end OF the
tentering room ablaze.
At or about this time the engineer on a
passing engine saw the flames and blew
his whistle Loud and long to call atten-
ton TO the locality. Joel Austin, the
boss dyer ut the works, was awakened by
the whistle, and looking out Of che win
dow of his residence he saw the building
in flames. He Immediately started for
the works and on the way met the watch
man. who rapidly described the situation.
Tue boss dyer went To the office, broke in
the door aud telephoned 20 the fire de-
partmeut of Central Falls. while the
Office was filling with smoke. by the
ti,ae he got out of the Office the whole
upper floor was "a mass of flames. The
l, Hlt1t trssr NIL Inv Star-
day up TO o'clock and everything in the
room was as dry as tinder. People who
were awakened by the whistle and
watched tine progress OF the devouring
element say that the fire seemed 10 run
right around the second floor.
The Central Falls Fire Company did
not respond, ana as the Valley Falls Fire
District is OH the Cumberland side OF the
river aud the fire was on the Lincoln side
they did not consider IL their place TO in-
terfere, especially AS the Valley Falls
Company have always declined To avail
tneni selves OF the protection of the fire
district aud do not pay "A fire district tax.
The Valley Falls Company has private
hydraut at their plant, and the Cumber-
land firemen attached their hose TO this
aud succeeded in saving the footbridge
that leads across the trench. The Cum
berland Fire Company Is volunteer
company and owns no steamer, aud their
eff orts would have had no elect upon the
fire in any event rs it bad enyeloped the
building before it could possibly have
been checked.
There being no means hand OF fight
ing the fire the village turned out TO
watch il burn. The fire made brilliant
spectacle aud the lurid glare in the sky
was seen for miles around. In due time
the floor burned through and toe fire was
communicated 10 the ground floor. where
IL continued its work OF devastation
until the upper portion OF the walls
fell ip. the contents of the second floor
fell to the ground floor, aud the fire lit
orally burned itself out, and nothing but
blackened walls, twisted machinery and
ashes we're left.
The building was formerly occupied by
Arnold IS. Chace. who owned the build
ing and the machinery, with the excep-
ton of some minor appurtenances which
the present, or recent occupants added as
thew needed them. The Home Bleaching <
aud Dying Company leased the premises
about three years ago and carried OF
the business af dying aud bleaching IA
connection with tneir original plant &C
cross the river. The loss To tue lsttel
company is mostly on drugs and fixture,
aud on chain warps, cotton yarns
skein yarns. etc, which belonge,
TO outside parties and were awaiting th'
dying aud bleaching process. The com