The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-07-18
BRIDGE SHOP ON FIRE.
The Wrought Iron Bridge Com
pany Damaged to the
Extent Of 81 900.
FIRE CHIEFS BOTH LATE.

Neither of Them Arrived Until the
Flames Were Extinguished-This
Happens Frequently, and Has Caused
Much Comment-Should Be a
Remedy.
The blacksmith shop of the Wrought
Iron Bridge Co., corner of Dueber avenue
and Bridge street, was on fire last night,
and strange to say, the structure was not
destroyed in fact, the flames were ex-
tinguished after the building and machin-
cry had been damaged to the extent of
81 900. The blaze started in the black
smith shop at the riyet making machine,
which is situated In the east end OF the
building. The flames ran up the end OF
the building until the roof was reached
This Is of slate and glass, and consequent
ly did not burn very rapidly.
The wood work blazed up lively, and
there was quite fire when 1t was discov-
cred. The central engine house was noti-
fed by telephone, and the bridge shop
whistle also sounded the alarm for several
minutes. Alarms were turned in from
boxes s2, 49, and SO at 6;27 o'clock, but
something was wrong with the wires, and
1t was hard to tell just where the fire was.
The chemical engine was first on the
scene, followed by the hose wagon from
the Central 1t was long run, and of
course the hook and ladder truck could
not get there as quickly as the lighter
apparatus. Companies nos. 3 and 5 also
responded to the alarm, the former get
ting there first.
WIRES WERE CROSSED.
The indicator at houses nos. 2 and 4
showed box no. ~, which is at the corner
of Lawrence avenue and Spring street,
and these companies responded, but
found no fire The trouble was caused by
the wires being crossed,
Before the department arrived at the
fire, the hose at the bridge shop was used
to good effect, and the men succeeded tn
some extent in keeping the flames from
spreading. The fire had some headway
when the department got to work, but
was confined almost wholly to the roof,
and was extinguished after some hard
work.
THE LOSS 1000.
The loss was mostly to the building,
while the machinery was damaged by
water to some extent Two electric mo-
tors were also damaged. Frank M.
Wyant, secretary and treasurer of the
company, was seen by News-Democrat
reporter, and placed the loss at $1,000,
fully covered by insurance.
The water pressure was low, and only
one section of hose bursted, that belong.
ing to no. house. The aerial hook and
ladder truck was raised, but not used, as
the shorter ladders could do the work.
The chemical engine, and Babcock's did
most of the work in extinguishing the
flames, Captain Robert Mesnar having
ordered the water turned off in order to
prevent loss by flooding. He also had the
ventilator showed over, and thrown of
the roof. 1t was necessary to remove 0
number of slate in order to get at the
blaze, and this was done.
THE CHIEFS WERE LATE
There has been considerable comment
on account of Chief John Leininger and
assistant Fred Talbot not being at fires
earlier. Last night was no exception tC
the rule as the blaze was out before the
assistant chief got there, and IL was ever
later when the chief put in an appearance
The city makes no provision for the as
sistant chief to get to fire, and If some
one doesn't give him ride, he has tc
walk. The chief has horse and car
riage, but lives quite distance from the
| CcllUOI VI ClUy anu uO SOCS llOiuS
there Is delay in his reaching fire.
CHIEF SHOULD BE FIRST.
In most cities the chiefs are usually the
first ones at fire, but in Canton 1t is diff
ferent; they are usually the last ones. II
is not an uncommon thing here for the
reporters to get to fire before either Of
the chiefs.
Captain Robert Mesnar is good fire
man, but he is not the proper person tC
have chrge at fire. as he is not employed
for that purpose. This is the duty of tn,
chief, and some arrangement should Ger
tainly be made, whereby he can reach
fire as quickly as the apparatus and tax,
full charge of the men. He should Civ,
all orders to the captains of the compa
MES, and they should see that their mel
obey the same. Then II fire is not prop
erly fought, or the streams turned on a
the right place, the people know where Il
fix the blame
TOO MANY BOSSES.
At present there are too many bosses
and too much disposition among some o
the men not to obey orders given by TIN
different captains This all causes delay
while If the chief was first at the fire. h
could take absolute charge and ther
would be no one to dispute his authority
AS 1t is at present, the captain first OF
the scene is the commanding officer, unit
the captain of the central house arrives
when he takes charge until relieved b.
one of the chiefs. This all causes NOR
or less confusion, and people fail to un
derstand why arrangements can't b
made so the chief will be among the frs
arrivals, as Is done in all we'll regulates
fire departments.
FRAIlD rs CHARGED