The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-12
DISASTROUS DAYLIGHT FIRE
PLANT OF THE CAlOLlNA ICE COMPANY
BURNED YESTERDAY
The Fire Was Caused by the Explosion
ofan Oil Stove-The Two-Story Build:
ing Quilted and Machinery Damaged.
Loss From $4,000 to SIS ,OOO-The
Factory VIII be Rebuilt Right Away.

A disastrous fire occurred yesterday
at the factory of the Carolina Ice Com
pany on Dock street between Front and
Water streets. The two sorry brick
building was Quilted from bottom to
top, and the fire damaged al the ma
chinery Of the company. The damage
is estimated at from $4,000 to $4,000,
but The Messenger is informed that
the loss is fully covered by insurance
in companies represented principally
by Messrs. Willard & Giles, underwri-
tiers.
AN OIL STOVE EXPLODED.
caused by the explosion of an oil stove
in the business office fronting on Dock
street. The only person in the office
at h time. was C. ]. Williams, a dri-
yer of Of the ice wagons. He states
that in an instant the whole office was
in a blaze. He ran across the street
to Mr.. Z. J. Cores store to telephone
the fire department., but some n in
the store had already 'phoned in an
alarm, and Policeman w. B. Brown
about the same time sent in a regular
alarm from box 43, at Front and Orange
streets.
TROUBLE FOR THE FIREMEN.
The fire department was on the seems
in a few minutes. but in an incredibly
short time the flames had spread all
over the inside of the building, eating
their way with great rapidity into the
second story. By the time the fire de-
partment got there it vas a bad fire.
The firemen did good work, but they ex-
perienced some difficulties which usual
ly do not happen. One of the cylinders
of the chemical engine was damaged
and rendered useless in going to the
scene, and some time was lost in get
ting q. stream from the hydrant at
Front and Orange streets Is the wrench
carried by hose wagon No. 2 would
not fit the tap on the hydrant. AS
soon as possible three lines of hose
were laid. one from Front Inc Dock
streets, another from Front and
OlaL5C duO liz III 1TOIIl
Front and Market streets. With the
drawbacks, the fire for the time being
got ahead of the firemen, but when the
streams got started the fire was stopp-
ed in time to prevent it from destroying
the building and spreading to other
valuable property adjacent to the ice
factory. The damage to the building is
estimated at from $500 to $4,000, but
the greatest possible damage was to
the valuable and costly machinery of
the plant. Many valuable papers in
the office and the desks and furniture
were destroyed. The safe was BACKED,
but it's contents were found intact.
OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGED
The fire reached the roof Of the build
ing and with a strong wind from the
north. flying paper and shingles from
the roof endangered property in the
vincinity. Some damage was done to
the roof Of MI. Chas. M. Whitlock's
machine shops to the south Of the fac
tory, and also the skylights and roof
of the ice depot of Messrs. W. E. Worth
& Co.. next door to the office where the
fire started.
THE PLANT TO BE REBUILT.
Mr.. J. M. Solky, president of the
company. states that the plant will be
rebuilt right away. He expects to
commence clearing up the debris to-
morrow. The company has been doing
a successful business. and it will put in
a new plant of the most modern ap-
pointmentS.
NO INTERFERENCE WITH DELIV-
cry OF ICE.
The company advertises in his morn
ing's Messenger that it has a supply Of
ice to last a week and that the wagons
will deliver ice to customers as usual
Monday morning. 1t is also proposed
to secure ice from other factories in
order to supply customers till the
plant is again in operation, which, Mr..
Solky informs us. will not be very long.