New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-13
SOAP MAKESGREAT FIRE
SUDS FILL WEST STREET.
Despite Neso Mains Half Million Is
Lost by Enoch Morgan's Sons.

A fire. discovered late Yesterday afternoon in
the seven story building at No. 433 to Al
west street. occupied by Enoch Morgans Sons.
soap manufacturers gave the fremen hard
hight for more than six hours and completely
DESTROYED the building. causing loss estimat-
ed at 100000. Three alarms were sounded,
bringing out twenty-four engines and four
fire boats. An unusual feature of the big fire
was the huge banks of suds caused by the mix
ing of the water with the soap in the building.
The firemen had to wade waist deep through
this foam. Besides this. they had to work in
a dense smoke
incidentally it the first real test of the
new high pressure system. and when the fire
had been got under control Chief Croker said
that the test had been most satisfactory one
and that the engines had been able to send their
streams to the top of the building at all times.
The fire discovered by Miss Mamie
Eagan, a forewomau who in charge Of
thirty girls packing the soap in boxes on the
second floor. She saw smoke coming from some
boxes in the centre of the building facing West
street, and Informed A. Il. Jones. a carpenter
who sent in the first alarm. Then Miss Eagan
marshaIled her girls in line and marched them
into the street which they reached before the
arrival of the engines.
The floors of the building. soaked with oils
and grease, made good fuel fer the flames, and
when the fremen arrived they saw that their
work was cut out for them. The Morgan firm
occupied, in addition to the West street build
iny adjoining story structure at No
160 10 16S Bank street, and the flames spread
to this in a few moments. AS soon Battalion
Chief Ross arrived he sounded in a second
alarm and Chief Croker on his arrival sent in
the third. 1t thought at first that some
might have been left in the building. but
only few were at work. Saturday is a short
day in the factory
The fire meanwhile had been spreading more
rapidly than the fremen could work and had
gone up from the second floor to the roof and TO
the Bank street building The high pressure
station is only a few blocks from the scene of
the fire, and Chief Croker ordered that streams
be turned on from the salt water mains, but 1t
was seen that the building doomed When
the fremen attempted to enter the building they
could scarcely keep their feet, as the floors were
covered with soapsuds. Dense, black smoke
served to keep the crowds away from the danger
line Time and time again Chief Croker would
order men into the building, but the smoke
would force a retreat. Many fremen were over
come but went back to their work after being
revived.
While holding the nozzle of one OF the big
hose lines Captain DAWN of Engine ~ was
knocked down by the powerful stream, and two
of his ribs were broken. He was taken home in
ambulance.
BY O'Clock the fire had become one of the
most spectacular blazes along the water
front in long time Across the street, where
several White Star Line ships were doeked. the
crews stood at their fire stations ready in case
the flames should reach them. but their vigil
lance proved unnecessary.
Scores of families in nearby houses moved
their belongings further away in case the fire
spread. Several engines were put out of COM
mission by the soapy water When 1t was higo
tide all of the sewers In the district backed up,
flooding the streets ankle deep, and all of the
neghboring cellars.
George F. Morgan. president of the company,
who is i'll in uptown hotel. received bulletins
OF the fire, and was greatly depressed when told
that the entire plant doomed