The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-06-21
ENTIRE BLOCK OF TEN BUILDINGS
DESTROYED; THOUSANDS SEE BLAZE

That all buildings within the block
were doomed became apparent to
Chief Paul. Sparks had set fire to
the roof Of the coal elevator and
chutes east Of the big plant. To save
this building dispatched Capt A. r.
Williams and the men of Station No.
8. They climbed to the dizzy heights
Of the roof on slender ladders and
commenced the battle with the flames
in midair. aided by two lines OF wa
ter under high pressure. In half an
hour they had the flames checked,
preventing spreading eastward.
Just north of the repair plant the
big railway roundhouse had commenc-
ed smoking. With two hose lines and
in a scorching atmosphere firemen
scaled its walls. From the roof OF
the roundhouse they opened a deluge
which completely drenched the build.
ing. They left It steamlng to turn
their attention to the main plant.
Desperate efforts were made to save
the boiler plant and engine room in
the northeast corner OF the block
! which had been converted into a roar.
ing caldron.
With virtually the entire fire depart
ment centering its attention upon the
main plant d. j. Cunningham sup
erintendet Of shops Of the D. &. r.
G.. discovered that flames reaching
out toward the northwest we're LICK
ing two big oil tanks. In the intense
heat smoke rose from the tanks,
and there was danger Of an explosion
which would have swept the yards OF
the d. &. R. c., and possibly cost
many lives. Cunningham told the
chief Of the impending danger.
Chief Leads Way
Calling Capt. Walter Knight and
a crew Of firemen, Acting Chief Paul
led the way to the oil tanks, opening
valves to prevent the accumulation
of explosive gases and deluged the
big containers with water. 1t was said
that with little more heat, the tanks
in all holding $4,000 gallons of oil,
would have exploded. The daring of
Acting Chief Paul Captain Knight
and members of Knights company
was highly complimented last night
by A. P. Apperson. general superin-
tendent of the Utah division of the
ID. &. r. G. The battle was con-
tinued against the flames in that Sec
ton of the block until danger of an
explosion had passed.
When attempting to gain a vantage
point near the heart of the fire, from
the paint shop in the southeast sec.
ton Of the block, three hosemen,
Frank Short of station No. 2 and Ed
die Andrews and Benjamin Fitzpatrick
OF headquarters, encountered fumes
which overcome them. All three fell
beside line of hose they were haul
ing. Embers and burning Jossts were
falling about them when other fire.
men discovered their perdicament.
Limp and apparently lifeless, they
were dragged from the fire. Water
was thrown in their faces, their limbs
were exercised and presently they
were revived. They remained in a
stupor several minutes. Finally they
resumed their posts in the battle with
the flames.
Fireman Is Hurt
Fireman Carl Odenwalder of head
quarters was guiding a line of hose
into the south side Of the burning
plant when group Of roof timbers
| crumbled. He was caught beneath
them and momentarily rendered un.
conscious Fellow firemen dragged
him from the burning debris. On the
shoulders Of members of his company
| he was carried to Sixth West and
| Fourth South, where DR.. Warren Ben
jamin, surgeon for the d. &. R. G.
found a deep cut from which blood
spurted, Immediately above Odenwald-
er's knee. The wound was closed and
Oldenwalder was sent to fire head
| quarters in an ambulance. In addi-
ton to the wound above the knee he
Is also suffering from many bruises
about the body.
When A. W. COPPER 6O6 s. Twelfth
West, clock fireman of the car re-
pairing plant, had proceeded on his
tour of inspection as far as the paint
shop in the southeast corner Of the
block shortly after 7 o'clock last night
he smelled smoke Rushing in among
six passenger coaches which were be-
ing painted he discovered one Of the
CONTINUED on page seven)