The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1904-12-22

I ~
3Ecs< i've fires. Fabrics dyed
with indigo and finished with q
preparation OF linseed oil will,
II stored in a confined place, take fire
OF themselves. IL was only a few years
ago that a dry goods house was nearly
destroyed because the proprietor did
not know the destructive qualities Of
oil and Indian dye. Lampblack, when
packed away in an ill-ventilated room,
| often generates enough heat TO set it,
self atire. The laboratory Of a per-
fumer was nearly wrecked by an explo-
/ sion. The maker Of scents believed
that a discharged employe had set fire
to the building, but it was shown that
the fire was due TO the evaporation OF a
high spirit in a room IN which small
laboratory gas stove had been left
burning.
In all manufacturing establishments
a frequent cause OF fires is the rubbing
Of leather betting against the edges OF
the aperture through which it passes
from floor TO lo0r.
In a fancy goods house a large iron
vault was blown open by some force
generated within and there issued
sheet OF fame. Nobody had been In
the vault for at least twelve hours,
The steel box was filled with paper
dolls, between each pair Of which there
was q film OF cellulold. A three-inch
steam pipe was placed against the rear
OF the vault and the heat it gave out
had raised the temperature 10 such
degree that the celluloid had taken FIRE.
Gun cotton is one OF the component
parts OF celluloid films and the explo-
sion was the natural result of a combi-
nation OF the gun cotton and high tenn
perature. One Of the most stubborn
fires which ever visited ST. Louis had
its origin in a plate glass window, The
pane concentrated the heat Of the Au-
gust sun upon a cellulold comb. The
comb blazed and sputtered and soon
other samples Of celluloid which were
around it were on fire. The flames con-
municated 10 the remainder Of q stock
Of inhammable merchandise.
The overwhelming fondness Of mice
FOR sulphur has been the cause Of many
fires. \ fireman told the writer that he
had in several cases seen nests Of
matches which the rats and the mice
had made between the floors Of build
lugs. Il is no unusual thing to find that
rodents have lined their abodes with
the birthstone anointed sticks. The
mice and rats will steal an old-fash-
toned sulphur match whenever they get
an opportunity ana take IL away to
chew at their leisure. The Gnawlng
process results in the igniting OF the
matches, and there follows a mystic
rious and suspicious fire. The rodent
regards paraffin as a choice delicacy.
II the insulation Of an electric wire
contains this waxy product of petro-
leum the rats will eat it. The barred
wire thus becomes a ready means Of
starting a blaze.
In many cases the steamfitter is re-
sponslble for destructive fires. II a
steam pipe is too close 10 woodwork a
slow process Of carbonizingtakes place.
A little extra heat or q draught Of ar
may fan q flame from the carbOnlzed
wood Another cause OF conhagrations
Is the carelessness of carper tiers. From
time immemOrable It has been q habit
Of the trade TO sweep the shavings in
between the joists Of floors. If either
the wire or the shavings were properly
insulated there would be no trouble.
But in one way or another the wire is
exposed and communicates a spark 10
the shavings which may be lying near
it The sparks may smolder for days,
and then, in the dead of night, there
comes a cry OF Fire"
FIRE TRAPS OF THE RICH.
The houses Of the wealthy, even In
these days of fireproof construction,
are often greater fire traps than the
meanest tenements. The hues in the
abodes of wealth and luxury are often
defective. In many cases only the
width of brick intervenes between in
tense heat and highly vanished and
infammable cabinet work. Rich hang
ings and upholstered furniture give the
food upon which the fire feeds. Defec-
tive electric wiring has many sins to
answer for in these days. Electricians
who are supposed to be competent will
cross wires and violate nearly every
principle Of common sense and electri-
cal science. Some Of them lead strands
OF wire through wooden boxes, which,
in the event Of fire, become roaring
fiues. Some Of the most destructive
fires known in the large cities have
been due to carelessness in placing the
wires for electric lighting.