The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-01-10
FLAMES LICK UP
$4,000; THREE
F|REMEN HURT
BIG PLANT or UNITED KNITTING
CO. COMPLETELY ouTTEp--2so
EMPLOYEES ARE THROWN OUT
OF WORK.
FlREMEN INJURED.

FlREMEN INJURED.
James DonneIIy, engine No. I.
No. 331 Locust-st., severe scalp
wound. IN st. Mary's hospital.
Harry Traver, engine No. 3, No.
80 6nchsnan-st., overcome BY
smoke and burned about the head.
In 81. Mary's hospital.
August Petersmarck, engine No.
2, No. 4s9 Twenty-third-st., over
come by smoke and burned about
the face. In ST. Mary's hospital.
property valued at $1b0. 900 was de-
stroyed and three fremen seriously In
jured Friday morning in fire which
completely Quilted the four-story brick
building at Porter and Third-sts.. oc-
cupied by the Forester & Cheney
Co.'S knitting plant, one OF the chain
OF similar concerns owned by the
United Knitting Co., manufacturers az
knitted goods.
Two firemen. Harry Traver, OF en-
CINE No. 3. residing at No. 80 Blu
chanan-st., and August Petersmarck. OF
engine No. 3. living at No. 4S9 Twenty
third-st., was hemmed In by flames
on the third floor, and narrowly es-
capped death. They entered the build
ing carrying line of hose, and were
feeling their way through the blind
ing smoke when flames burst out BE-
low them. Dropping the hose, they
| fought their way through the fire 70
a window, and, unfortunately, struck
one which had no fire escape-
They called for help, and instantly an
extension ladder was run up. The
men had barely strength enough -
reach the ground, where both col
lapsed. They were hurried to st.
Mary's hospital.
II thought we were done for" said
Fireman Traver, Friday morning. rs
he lay groaning on his cot In the hos
pital. "The flames burst out below 40
everywhere, and there seemed to be
no way to escape. We made dash
In the direction we thought would lead
to window. We did find window.
but there was no FIRE escape, and we
had to stand there with the names
creeping nearer all the time while
a ladder was run up"
| The men were badly burned about
the Ease, and their threats are raw
fiom inhaling smoke. but the attend
ing physician believes they VIII re-
| cover.
The other fireman injured Is James
Donnelly, No. 337 Locust-st-, who vas
painfully cut on the head when DC
fell from a ladder. He Is also In 6t-
Mary's hospital.
| The fire started shortly after
O'Clock at the southeast corner ON
| the fourth floor. Fer more -tnan n
hour Waterman James Brown smelteQ
smoke, and searched every moor, out
could find no fire. He was on the
third floor, still searching. when inc
flames burst out. He turned IN an
alarm Immediately, but before the &C.
partment could get stream into the
building, the flames had licked up tne
great piles of wool, and were Deyona
| control. A general alarm was turnel
In. and 10 engines were soon al Work:
but the building, which covers . mar
block, was completely Quilted.
Two hundred and nifty persons
mostly women and girls, are thrown
out OF employment and these $1,000
about the ruins Friday morning. many
In tears, and several on the verge OF
hysteria.
The industry was one OF the largest
employers Of women In the city, ana
had been located at Third and forter'
ats for six years. II was previously
located at Rowland and State-sts.
The fire played hob with the street
car service on the west side. and
thousands who use the sherman, Bak-
err. Michigan and Trumbull lines were
forced to walk from Trumbull-ave. The
sherman and Baker cars were switch.
ed to Michigan at Trumbnil-avey AND
the extra rush caused such a conxes'
ton that cars we're lined up for blocks
waiting chance TO get away
The building was insured for $50
600. bat the insurance on the stock
cannot be ascertained until the safe y
Opened.