The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-13
MANYLIVESL0ST
BY Burning of HamIin's GIu-
cose Works at Buffalo.

BUFFALO, April lathe plant Of the
American Glucose company was burned
last night The loss will be about 81, ,000,-
900. The insurance il 1886, 900
The works OF the company consisted of
an History brick building used for the
manufacture Of glucose and starch, an
eight-story brick building used as power
house and as place for making the cat
tie feeding product. an eight-story brick
building used as aretinery and an eight
story storehouse.
The fire was discovered in tho dynamo
room of the main building by the engi-
neer. In 10 minutes the whole IL floors
were on fire, flames were bursting through
the windows and darting from the roof.
There were perhaps l25 men at work last
night. II will not be known until a CEN
sus of the employees is taken whether one
man or so men were cremated.
IL is known that some of the men es-
capped by the fire escapes, and some OF
those on the lower stories jumped into
the canal. A great many OF the men at
work on the upper floors were Poles and
Germans They may have been burned
and they may not. It is impossible TO tell
now. The chances are, however, that
several men were burned TO death.
Destruction Was Complete.
The fire spread with incredible swift
ness. In Is minutes the entire main
building was a mass of flames. In 20
minutes the walls began to fall and they
fell at frequent intervals until. inside of
40 minutes, there was but one corner
standing. The main building was con-
nected with the power and feed house by
an elevated bridge The flames crept
across this and ignited the feed house.
This burned more slowly than the main
building, but it was but short time
until the flames had complete control of
the buildings
Meanwhile the Buffalo city fish mar
ket, which stood just across the street.
took fire. Five firemea were sent in
side it to fight the flames, and num-
ber of streams were turned on the roof.
The building was long. low. brick struc-
ture, and the fremen made n good fight
to save IL, but portion Of blazing wall
fell ON it, and started the roof to burning
iiercely.
Fircmen Badly Injured.
The firemen inside did not know of this,
and no one told them. The consequence
was that in few minutes the roof fell in
and buried the firemen Three of them
escaped with no other injuries than a few
bruises, but John Weber and Lieutenant
Schraeder were not so fortunate. Weber
was taken out unconscious. His face is
badly burned, some of his ribs broken,
and he has also internal injuries. 1t is
question whether he lives or dies. Lieu
tenant Schraeder had his back and legs
hurt.
The feed house was completely de-
stroyed. The refinery and the.storehouse
went next, and by IL o'clock there was
nothing left Of the mammoth establish.
ment but few tottering walls.
The great works are controlled bv c. j.
Hamlin, the famous horseman, and his
sons. There is "A branch OF the institu-
tion at Peoria, Ills. and another in this
city. by a secret process corn was treated
with sulphuric acid, and glucose was the
result. This was sold for use 10y con-
fectioners, preservers and the like.
At 12 O'clock the progress of the fire
was checked, but it was several hours
before it was completely under aontral