The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-11
THE HOTTEST FIRE
IN SEVERAL
YEARS
Thursdays Fire Destroyed
Property Valued at $4,000
or $4,000.

Inc hottest nre which Grand Forks
has experienced since the burning of
the linseed oil mill several years ago
though not the most costly-was that
which destroyed the Great Northern
coal sheds on Thursday afternoon and
completely Quilted Bales & Perkins
wood working factory. When the fire
was at its height it was almost impos-
sible to stand nearer than block dis
tant and cars and buildings and piles
of lumber three hundred feet away
were several times in flames.
A spark from passing engine was
probably responsible for the fire.
Smoke was first discovered issuing out
of the east end OF the upper part of
the sheds at a few minutes past 4
o'clock. There were several men at
work in the coal shutes at the time and
hve empty cars also stood in the up
per part of the structure. Railway
employees on a yard engine seem to
nave been the first to note the fire and
engines which were standing nearby
Immediately started their whistles 20.
ing. 1t was several minutes before
the fire department was notified, how
ever, and in the meantime, though
some effort was made to reach the dan
ger point with buckets of water. the
blaze gained great Roadway and in five
minutes practically the entire struc-
ture was enveloped and burning fierce
ly.|SThe coal therein and dry lumber
created a fierce heat and in a few
Drlef minutes communicated to the
section house standing to the south
and to the Bales & Perkins factory.
The members of the fire department
seeing the uselessness of attempting to
do salvage work on the coal sheds.
turned their attention to saving the
woodwork factory and other property
adjoining and in the path of the fire.
Ine flames Were driven northeasterly
by a strong southwest Iind and for a
Tune 1t looked as though the factory of
the Golden Grain Biscuit company
would be damaged. Employees of the
company, however, kept the window
stills and other wood work we'll wetted
with small emergency hose.
The flames were not controlled un-
til after 5 o'clock, when the coal sheds
collapsed. though there was at that
time no likelihood of further loss nm
the Bales & Perkins factory. This
structure, however, was almost com
pletely Quilted and all the stock of hard
ana soft woods, glass, etc., was de-
stroyed or, badly damaged. Most of
the machinery is also ruined, though
q part OF 1t withstood the heat and can
9e USED again. The greater loss will
be on stock and building.
The Great Northern's loss includes.
Deslde the coal sheds, one of it's own
cars ana -FOUR" belonging to foreign
companies, about two hundred tons of
solt coal, a section house. and dam
a , trackage and a small amount of
lumber piled nearby burned.
Inc freight cars destroyed have an
average value of 5000 apiece. Con-
tfary to report that they were loaded,
none OF them contained anything. The
sectloa house destroyed would cost
ABOUT $1,000 possibly. while the coal
snute. according to one of the COM
panys officials. could scarcely be re-
paced for less than $4,000, If for that
amount. The coal burned might be
worth II 200. and the damage to track
age. lumber and ties would add $4,000.
bringing the total estimated loss nm
to ll,700. or nearly $4,000. The
Great Northern has an insurance de-
partment of its own which handles fire
tAotAo aAu IRE losses.
The loss sustained by Bales E. Per-
klns. including damage to factory
building. machinery, stock of woods
glass. cement. paints, oils, hardware
etc., Will run close to the $4,000 mark
perhaps more and possibly a little less
The firm carried altogether insurance
OF $4,000 in the Holmes e. I,eidman
agency.
In connection with the report of the
nre. considerable credit should he
given the members of the fire depart-
>ment for creditable work performed
u was late when the department was
notined and the. fire was an exceeding
" nard one to control, owing to the
start and the fierce heat thrown out.
Inc intense heat thrown out from
the burning coal warped and twisted
the rails On all tracks within hun-
dred feet and az soon as the heat han
sumciently subsidized crews of men
were set at work replacing the dam
aged rails with new ones. Renairs
were completed in time for the arrival
and departure Of the night trains
During the height of the fire ward
employees and switching crews did val
liable work for the Great Northern IN
removing barrels of oil, boxcars and
osner rolling stock that was threaten
The Great Northern will be tempor-
ariiy embarrassed through the loss
OF lts coal sheds but it is the intention
10 rig up a temporary shute for the
supplying of engines at this point,