The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-12-04
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Disastrous Fire.

| Just UotOTc uubk, On rFludy aIGoTuOOD,
the blowing of numerous whistles and a
great volume of black smoke denoted tina
fire was In progress on Grant street,
which proved to be the hay press of the
Fenimore Brothers, and in short time
the entire plant, excepting the brick en-
CINE house. was reduced to ashes.
Firemen fastened their apparatus to
the scene, only to find that nothing could
be done to save the structure, and much
of their attention was given to the pro-
lection of other buildings in the neighbor
hood, which at times were well covered
with burning embers, and it became nee.
essary to soak the roofs of several dwell
ings and also that of the factory of the
Mount Holly Shoe Company, which was
in great danger, and only saved from de-
struction by its fire proof roof.
The first streams obtainable were played
on the fast burning buildings, and it was
quite awhile before the fury of the flames
could be checked. During the meantime
two freight cars standing on the siding
were reduced to ashes, but another car,
close to the fire, was pulled out of danger
by locomotive.
Workmen who were in the loft of the
south building saw the flames break out,
which they attribute to an oyerheated
journal on the shsfting. 1t was with diff
fculty that they managed to reach the
door without getting burned. The fire
spread with remarkable rapidity over the
buildings. all of which seemed to be
ablaze at the same time, due to the
combustable nature of their contents
The fire in the large boiler was drawn
and the rope attached to the whistle was
tied down. so that the steam might escape
in order to prevent the boiler from burst
ing. This accounts for the long blowing
of the whistle.
Those persons about the premises, at
great risk to themselves, entered the hay
press building and rescued the four horses,
but it was too dangerous to attempt to
save anything else, and then it became a
matter that was entirely up to the
elements or the fremen and the former
won. While the engine house remains
intact, the south wall was damaged, and
may have to be rebuilt.
The fire was a most spectacular one,
drawing hundreds of people to the scene.
Firemen not In active service acted as O
committee of investigation, tramping over
many yards back of Main street, watching
lest the flying sparks should set other
buildings on fire. 1t became necessary to
soak the roof of the barn In the rear of the
Jail. and as volumes of sparks fell in the
jail yard the prisoners became somewhat
excited
}, The building that was destroyed, par
ticularly the grain warehouse, was filled
with grain, hay and straw. A few hours
before the fire three carloads of baled hay
were shipped. These were worth about
$500.
Fenimore Brothers place their loss at
SIC, 900, with an insurance of over $12, 900,
which is distributed in about fourteen
different companies. This firm has sui,
fered by fire on two different occasions
the nrst conhagration having occurredIor
November 2, 1905.
The fremen have the thanks of the
Fenimore Brothers and the public gener
ally for the faithful manner In which they
} labored On this occasion.
Watchful eyes soon detected that the
| barn of Horace Friant was on fire, but
: the blaze was extinguished before making
any Roadway.
An interested spectator at the fire wal
Bird W. Spencer, President of the Stat,
j Firemen's Relief Association, who com
( plimented the firemen on their efficiency
Although plug streams were thrown OF
the ruins for forty eight hours, the fire il
e the mass of hay and grain is still
v smouidering, and occasionally it break
, out in flames, calling for additional atten
ton.
The insurance ON the property wa
II placed through the agency of John r
Howell.
In rebuilding their plant it is probabl,
:. that the Fenimore brothers will adop
some plan for the better protection o
their machinery, where the exposet
e. parts are surrounded by combustibl
material.
The eonfsgration afforded good ties
v for the new fire proof roofing that is bein
: manufactured in Mount Holly. The roo
" of the factory of the Mount Holly Sho
IS Company is composed of this prepares
a. felt. At one time 1t was covered wit
Ne thousands of sparks. none of which mad
:. any perceptible difference to the compG
10 sition of the roof The test was a sever
es one and speaks well for the invention
IS Men on top of the building with bucket
of of water had no time to extinguish on
n quarter of the sparks, and had the roc
W been composed of combustible matters
en- nothing could have prevented it takin
haHnro h. II, ct l,nH fra