Bridgeton pioneer., 1903-09-17
GLASS PLANT WAS
SERIOUSLY THREATENED.

1t was a little after four O'Clock.
just few moments, when great
portion of the l. Whilden Moore Glass
tCompany's hollowware plant was
wrapped in flames. The men Of the
six shops who were employed in the
smallest tank had but moment be-
fore stepped from the foot bench for
what is known as a tempo--a few
moments breathing spell
Suddenly there was an explosion.
Flames burst from all about the fur
mace, spreading rapidly, and the work
men had but moment to fee to q
place of safety. Had they been still
at work the startling flames would
have engulfed them.
For moment all was greatest ex-
citement. then the men began the
fight to save their place Of employ
ment The fire hose Of the company
was run out and the pumps put ct
work. The men worked like Trojans.
braying fierce. heat and great danger.
They battled earnestly with the flames
and in little while they had checked
their further advance, and later, when
almost exhausted, some Of them en-
tirely overcome, they gave up the
fight to the fire department, they had
mastered the situation and saved the
greater part Of the establishment.
It seems remarkable that the mon
could have done so we'll The great
buildings were dry aud the flames.
for time fed by the escaping oil,
spread with lightning like rapidity.
Yet these men with the company S
fire apparatus, held the flames in
check and but a third of the factory
building was burned, and the small.
est tank and small lehr were alone
destroyed. The two large tanks. en-
gine room. packing houses, Office
building and other portions of tie
plant were saved from destruction
and the plant will be continued in
active operation.
A week ago the Whilden Moore
Company started up its small tank
and six shops of men were employed
with the attendant boys and lsborers,
start a large tank on Thursday Of this
week. there having been fire in The
furnace for some little time.
The small tank is located in the
cf Eri sa1 .e
of frame with slate roof. The plant
is operated by oil fuel.
Iron pipes lead the oil from the
reservoirs to the furnaces. A broken
pipe yesterday afternoon permitted
the oil to escape in the blazing fires
and the explosion followed.
The alarm was turned in from box
No. 46 at the Ferracute. and the De-
partment responded promptly. The
factory building is situated away out
long the Central railroad, beyond Elm
street, and the fire horses had hard
tug Of it. The three big greys to the
LaFrance were able to reach the plant
in good time. but the two roans with
the chemical engine could not keep
up the pace. When the sandy road
way ont by the reservoir was reached
the roans gave out. They could not
longer drag the big load behind
them.
The firemen and others ran down
the road and managed to push the
hose wagon in.
None of the engineers reached the
scene with the department., and for
tunately Councilman Sellers, of the
Freracute works. was on hand, and
took charge..of the LaFranoe and fur
nished power.
Water was played through several
lines of hose upon the flames and very
shortly all danger was passed.
1t SO happened that President I.
Whilden Moore, Manager Stratton W.
Moore and Secretary H.. P. Reed were
all out Of town during the day and
none knew anything Of the loss that
had fallen upon the firm until their
return at night.
An investigation Of conditions was
promptly made and it was decided
that the company would at once re-
sumo operations, fires being placed
under the tanks that were not dam
aged and blowing will start some time
next week.
This. morning employees began tear
ing away the ruins and clearing up
the plant so that the work of rebuild
ing'can start at once. This morning
carpenters were engaged in making
repairs to that part of the building
which was saved and plans are being