The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-14
BIG FIRE IN
MANCHESTER
A Portion Of the Standard Oil
Plant Went Up in Smoke
Yesterday.
Loss Los FIFTEEN THOUSAND
This IS a Conservative Estimate.
Business in No Wise
Interrupted.

Huge, dense clouds Of curling smoke
arising far into the summer air over
the eastern part of Manchester, and los
ing itself In a maze over the river and
the eastern section OF Richmond yestcr-
day afternoon shortly after ! O'Clock,
was caused by the burning of part
Of the Standard OIL plant at Second and
Stockton Streets, Manchester, resulting
In loss aggregating something like
$1,000
The flames started In the engine
room adjoining the office and the ship
ping department. farthcst from the big
tanks, across the street. The wind was
from the south, which was most for
turate thing, for had 1t been from the
opposite direction there Is no estimating
what might have been the damage.
The Manchester department lost little
time in getting to the scene. and the
ringing Of the big bell brought out hun
dreds of spectators from both cities In
order to help the local fire department,
Engine Company No. 8 was ordered to
the scene by Chief Fuller who himself.
went over to assist Chief Crooks. of the
Manchester department. This engine
was stationed at the south end Of Mayo's
Bridge. and did good work The local
department had four streams playing on
the flames, and by excellent manage
ment, the fire was held to that portion
Of the plant in which 1t started.
KEPT FROM SPREADING.
Owing to the inflammable nature of
the place there was no hope of eXtn-
gushing the flames until they had eaten
themselves out. The plan of the fire
men was to confine the danger and
damage, and to prevent the spread OF
the flames. In this they succeeded,
much to the relief of the thousands who
stood about the neighborhood watching
the battle of the firemen with the fire.
The help given by the Richmond de-
partment was inestImable, and was ap-
preciated fully by the Manchester fire
fighters and the managers of the con-
Germ.
So far as can be learned the fire
started In the engine room from ii
spark. The lncipIent blaze grew instant
~ to immense proportions. but none
of the force lost their heads. with the
dangers OF explosions surrounding them,
and all hands at once set to work to
remove whatever was movable. Tho
safe. desks and office furniture were
put In places of safety.
ESTIMATED LOSS.
The loss Will probably aggregate $4,000.
made UP mainly In stock as follows:
About 400 barrels Of lubricating oil. 100
heaters, 100 cooking stoves, cases of
axle grease and candles. Two box cars,
partially loaded. We're entirely burned.
They were standing on the spur track
adjoining the shipping rooms. This part
of the plant was completely Quilted and
put out of service. There was no lnsur-
ance. as the risk Is always considered
too great by the companies.
For four hours the flames shot up
into the air from the burning oil. but
they did not spread, because of splendid
work on the part OF the fire department..
Manager Walker said last night that
the fire would in nowlse Interfere with
the conduct Of the business, as the
stock on hand was sufficient to keep
things going
The burned building was comparative
~ new, ard was in itself about as fire
proof as such structures can be. The
plant consisted OF the office, shipping
department.. warehouse and tanks, all
of which cost about $4,000,
This was tho largest fire that has
visited Manchester N,r n long time, and
the first one OF any magnitude for sew
eral months.
This branch of the Standard Oil Cong
pany in the only one between Baltimore
and Atlanta. and 1t is the supply sta
ton for the territory between those two
cities. Mr.. John NJ. Walker. the man
ager came here about two years ago
from Baltimore.
The building will be rebuilt at once.
and no one will be thrown out Of ems
ployment.