Evening journal., 1900-01-11
FIBRE WORKS
BURNED DOWN
Disastrous Fire at Eleventh
and Union Streets Occurred
Last Night
LOSS QUARTER OF A MILLION
BLAZE STARTED IN SECOND
STORY OF THE BUILDING ABOUT
10 O'CLOCK, BUT ITS CAUSE is
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ALARM.

~ ~ NA@O1AA1 ~ a AAf~ N~NNNff@N ~
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ALARM.
The large brick building at Eleventh
and Union streets, occupied by the Del
aware Hard Fibre Company, the
Brandywine Machine Company, and the
Tally-on-Top Company, was totally de-
stroyed by first last night, entailing al
loss of about S125,000.
The flames broke out in the second
story of the Delaware Hard Fibre Com
pany's plant, and were first discovered
by Jasper Burrell, colored, a night
watchman, about 10 o'clock. At that
time the blaze was shooting down the
elevator shaft.
Burrell at once telephoned toManagerI
Charles G. Rupert, and an alarm was
sent in from box No. 112, Pennsylva-
mia avenue and Scott street. and the
district engines responded. When the
firemen reached the scene the build
ing was mass of flames, the light
from which could be seen for miles
around. Although Chief Sasse has been
confined to his home for some days
past as the result Of injuries to his
knee by a fall he received at the Sew
enth street fire, he was early on the
scene, and at once sent in a general
alarm, calling all the fire companies in
the city into service.
FLAMES SPREAD RAPIDLY.
The flames spread rapidly, and soon
the entire building was ablaze. Sev-
eral small houses in the vicinity also
caught fire, but the flames were soon
extinguished Shortly after the en-
gines began work a portion of the
walls of the building fell in with a
crash, but no one was hurt. On the
b. & o. railroad siding adjoining the
building were three cars, one of which
was loaded They all caught fire, and
the contents of the loaded car were
practically destroyed. AS soon as pos
sible shifting engine arrived and pull
ed the cars to a place OF safety. After
three hours hard work the flames were
under control, and several Of the en-
gines were sent home.
The burned buildings were the larg-
est in that part of the city, occupying
a block, bounded by Eleventh, Union
streets and the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. William I'll. Swift is presi-
dent Of the Delaware Hard Fibre Com
pany, and Joseph Swift is president
of the Tally-on-Top Company. The
Brandywine Machine Works, which
was really part Of the Delaware Hard
Fibre Company, is managed by Charles
G. Rupert, who is also manager of the
fibre works.
THE LOSSES.
The building and machinery of the
Hard Fibre Company are a total loss
although the extent of the damage
done has not yet been estimated. The
company, through Gilpin & Co., car
ried an insurance Of $4,000, which
will probably cover the losses.
The Tally-on-Top Company did not
sustain as much loss, as a portion oi
the building occupied by it, together
with the contents, were saved from de-
struction by the heroic efforts of the
firemen. The firm carries an Insurance.
OF $13,500, S11, 900 of which is placed
through Gilpin & Co.. and the re
mainder, $2,500, with the Delawar,
Fire Insurance Company.
WORK OF FIREMEN.
The work of the iremen at the blaz
has been especially commended, ant
had it not been for their efforts mucl
greater damage would have been done
The movements of the firemen were di
rected by Assistant Engineers Joyc
and Purcell, as, although Chief Sass
was upon the scene, he was unable t
remain any length Of time owing to hi
injured knee. Both Joyce and Purcell
remained at the scene Of the conhagra
tion until 10 o'clock this morning
when the signal Of two taps, denotin
that the engines had returned to thei
respective engine houses, was sent Il
by Assistant Chief Joyce.
@~r1rvrre,r- r.rr MN
At an early hour this morning tn
tall smokestack, which was located j
the centre Of the plant, and which ha
withstood the force Of the flames, tor
pied over and fell with a crash upo
the railroad tracks.
The last company to leave the seen
was the Water Witch, which departe
about 1915. The Phoenix and FrienC
ship companies left short time befor
Acting under instructions from Assis
ant Chief Joyce, the Water Witch lie
a line OF hose for use by the employs
of the firm in case the flames broke ol
anew, as it will be week before The
are entirely out.
SUPPLIED WITH LUNCH.
The fremen desire to return especi
thanks to those who live in the vicini
OF the fire, who supplied them wi
coffee and sandwiches during the
fight with the flames.
CAUSE UNKNOWN.
Manager Charles G. Rupert, of h
Delaware Hard Fibre Company, stat
this morning that the cause Of the fl
is unknown. Mr. Rupert could n
state the amount of the less, but it
probable that 1t will amount to quart
of O million dollars. as much valual
machinery and a quantity Of mater
were destroyed.
The fire will throw about 400 peol
out of employment, but the plant W
in all probability be rebuilt as soon
the insurance is adjusted.
HORSE RAN AWAY.
Shortly after the Phoenix hose-cI
had arrived at the fire and the hS
unreeled the horse attached to the q
became frightened and ran away