The Washington herald., 1907-01-07
FIRE WRECKS PLANT
Completely Destroys Shops of
Murray Engineering Co.
ESTIMATED LOSS IS $1,000
Extra Number of Engines Needed TO
ExtinguiSh FIHmes-Maehine Is
WrecLed-Cause of Blaze IL Not
Known-Firm VIII Seek Temporary
Quarters to Garry on Business.

The shops Of the Murray Engineering
Company. one of the largest private
plants in the city, which are situated at
the corner of Thirty-third and X streets
northwest. were completely destroyed by
FIRE early yesterday afternoon. causing a
loss of Sl1.000 The building was a large
one-storied structure, over 100 feet n
length, and was filed with a complete as
sortment of modern machinery
The fire was discovered by Charles Wise,
Of 3223 Grace street. who happened TO he
passing the building at the time. He
called the attention of Officer SteinbuTgeT.
of the Seventh precinct, who Immediately
sent i'm an alarm. The fremen were
hampered in reaching the blaze because
of the location. and when they arrived
the fire had made great headway, the
whole building being in flames. In a few
minutes after the arrival Of the first en-
gines a second alarm was sent in by Bat
talon Chief Sullivan. This brought sew
eraI more engines, making the entire force
five engines and two trucks.
With the second alarm Chief Belt, Fire
Marshal Nicholson. and Assistant Chief
Wagner hurried 10 the scene.
Plant Is Wreck.
Although there was comparatively lit
tie inhammable material in the building,
the fire burned fiercely. and before ii
was gotten under control il had COM
pletely wrecked the plant. The heat be
came so intense that the machinery in the
building became red hot and was twisted
out OF shape. In many instances when
the water struck the heated parts it
caused them TO crack and fan TO pieces
Much of the machinery was completely
ruined i'm this way
Tie dense smoke from the fire. which
could be seen for blocks attracted crowds
Of people who were on the streets at the
time and i'm a few minutes after the
alarm was sent in the open spaces ad-
jacent 20 the burning building were
crowded. The reserve force from the
Seventh precinct proved inadequate in
handling such Il thTong. and the reserve
forces from the Third and Eighth pre-
Cincts were hurried TO the scene. With
this force it was possible TO keep back
the crowds that tiocked the vantage
points on the water front and on the high
ground just back Of the building.
After half an hour had elapsed the
greater part of the fire was eXtinguished.
Automobile Is Lost.
Several pieces of work under course
Of construction were completely demoI-
ished. along with number of lathes
and other irOn-working machines with
which the shop was fitted. An automo-
bile belonging to Joseph Murray, part
owner of the plant, was in the building
at the time and was also ruined. Owing
to the weight and size of most Of the
contents of the building very little could
be saved.
Fire Marshal Nicholson was unable TO
determine what was the cause of the
fire Although the plant was equipped
with an engine and boiler. they had not
been used for some time. the power be-
ing furnished by electricity from the
United States Electric plant adjoining.
The wiring had been installed for some
years and had never given any trouble
which tends TO show that defective wiz
ing was not the cause. The only fire
that had been in the building was that
from two small forges. which had been
used the day before. The fire was taken
ont of these, however, before the shop
was vacated on Saturday evening.
VIII Resume at Once.
The building was the property of the
United States Electric Lighting Com
pany, and was leased by the Murray En-
gineerinE Company, of which Col Charles
+. Wood is the president. The greater
part Of the loss is covered by insurance.
AR Murray stated last night that the
company would Immediately seek Il
temporary shop. where they would carry