The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-05
BLAZE
IN LOCAL
LAUNDRY
Brisk F|ra IN JIxsIy District
Gives Department 4 Good Fight
In Arctic Atmosphere.

with the mercury during zero stunts
the fire department IN the down town
district was called to respond to an alarm
from Box n at about s:45 this morning,
and when they reached the vicinity OF the
box, clouds OF smoke were seen issuing
from buildings in the jewelry district,
while from dozens OF shops. hundreds OF
frightened girls were Fastening with such
outer garments as they could grasp over
their arms.
The blaze was located In the Troy laun-
dry on West Exchange street, which Is
conducted by j. A. Reynolds and from
the upper floor clouds OF thick heavy
smoke were being forced through cracks
and crannies. When this smoke was
given vent by the breaking OF the win
dows by the nremen II circulated
throughout the jewery district and add
ed materially to the fright of the en-
ployes causing a still greater number OF
them to stampede for tho streets
Half dozen heavy streams OF water
had the spread OF the flames stopped
within half an hour and the fear OF the
jewelry workers was allayed enough to
permit them to return to work though
II is likely number OF people will have
10 walt for their shirts and collars for a
undoubtedly in the ironing room which
occupied the entire second floor.
The ironing machines. comprising gas
heater and mechanical arm were
damaged considerably and a lot of other
apparatus which was used in the va
rious processes OF cleaning linen. Mr.
Reynolds stated he was unable 20 state
the extent OF the damage to his plant
at once as he would have to go carefully
q - IL
any statements. He carried some in
surance he said
II Is probable. however. that the
damage to building and plant will not
exceed 5000
The force at the laundry, where some
The building Is owned by the Washing
ton Real Estate company OF which Isaac
Hahn Is agent.
The force at the aundry. where some
20 girls are employed. is the very room
where the fire took place, has not been
working this week on account OF the
lack of power, and yesterday some OF the
men spent part OF the day in thawing
water pipes.
This morning several of the employees
OF the lower department were seated
around the stove, when n wild-eyed man
burst In and Informed them the whole up-
per part OF the building was on fire. This
was william a. Horton. an employe OF
Henry Evans carpenter shop, who came
out to the corner TO look at the thar-
mometer and noticed the smoke. He had
great difficulty in opening the keyless
fire alarm box at the corner OF Sabin and
Mathewson streets and had 10 get the
assistance OF employees OF Clark's factory
before he could do so.
The 100 employees OF J. c. T. Shobeck' 8
shop. about - Of whom are girls. which
Is on the same floor with the fre. were
apprised Of their proximity 10 danger bv
the smoke which worked through the par
titions and these grasped their outer gar
ments and FASTENED To the outer air
leaving the jewelry, chiefly collar buttons.
In charge OF few cool-headed ones who
remained pear the door. II being impos a
bic to stay In the shop on account of the
smoke.
The fire did not reach this shop and the
only damage will be from smoke and
possible colds Of the girls who rushed
out unsufficienty clad for the biting
weather
In many cases the fremen were clad
In glitter1ng coats Of ice and the build
ing. where the water struck. was sheathed
I'm ice
The only theory az 20 the fires origin
is that II must have started near the
dryer as a result OF the attempts to tina "
pipes.