The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-03-04
BIG FIRE IN NEW BRITAIN
IN THE RUSSELL & ERWIN BfG
FACTORY LAST NIGHT.

One Hundred Thousand Dollars Damage--
Origin OF Fire Unknown--Two Hundred
and Fifty Hands Thrown Out of Employ
ment-Wind Saved the Factory From,
Total Destruction-Heavy Insurance on
the Plant.
New Britain, March S.-Fire broke
out in the upper part of the storehouse
of the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing
company at o'clock tonight and be-
fore the flames could be checked dam-
age to the extent of $4,000 or 100000
had been done to the plant, The shops
of the company cover an area of fifteen
acres and at one time there was immi-
nent danger that the entire plant would
be destroyed. A high wind was pre-
vailing and the water which was direct
ed against the burning building was
forced back by the wind on the frozen
firemen. The flames were not under
control until S:15. BY that time the
entire upper story Of the lock shop,
which fronts on Washington street, had
pSSh SoiioAAllSd' lie OH tlte3
corner of Myrtle and Washington
streets was also consumed in the upper
stories and the water used to extinguish
the flames gutted the whole shop, rem
dering it impracticable for use.
The origin Of the fire is a mystery.
The Russell & Erwin fire brigade, which
is maintained by the company for cases
of emergency, was among the first to
be on the scene. They stretched line
of hose, but could make little use Of it,
as they had no ladders to get directly
at the fire, which was raging in the
storehouse roof. They were obliged to
stand there and watch the roof burn
up before they could get any water on
the flames.
The structures consumed are what is
known as the old part of the lock de-
partment. All the apparatus of the To-
cal fire department responded to the
alarm. No trains were run over the
New England road from 5:45 to 3:15 on
account of the fire. AT the request OF
the mayor all the electric lights Of the
city were shut off. Two hundred and
fifty hands will be thrown out OF en-
ployment by the conflagration.
u NJ CAiAeIAA w 1lAlobAll W1lAA60 VI SLll0
hook and ladder company had to be re-
moved to his home; he had suffered SO
much from the cold and his face was
frost bitten on one side. John Boyle
and Patrick Connolly, members Of the
fire department, were also injured:
Only a small portion Of the plant was
burnt.
The firm carries a total insurance OF
$1,600,00O. The wind, which was blow
ing from the northwest, is all that saw
ed the concern from destruction. It
blew the water back from the fire, but
more than counteracted that by driving
the flames from the unburnt section of
both of the damaged buildings.
The shops of Russell & Erwin line
both sides Of Washington street to Muir
tie street and both sides Of Myrtle
street to High street. The plant Is one.
of the largest hardware factories in
New England. Several of the buildings
connected with it are five stories high.
The flames originated in section Of
the lock shop which has not been used
for anything except a storeroom for
over a year. There have been no lights
and no fires in that story during the
above named time. The fire has every
indication Of incendiarism, excepting
the fact that it was somewhat elevat-
ed. The fire department was some
what crippled, as engine No. was con-
demned some time ago and the La
France fire engine which is to replace
| 1t will not arrive until April /. An
aerial truck has also been ordered by
the town for that date.