The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-11-05

One of the most serious and costly confagrations in the history of Cliff ton started in the roof of Concentra- tor No. 2, of the Arizona Copper Company, Ltd, located in North Clifton, at seven o'clock Friday night
 Before finally extinguished by hero ic efforts of fire department, citizens and former employees at the west end of the ore and coke bins and railroad tressel, within a few feet of the old acid plant, Arizona Copper Company property, estimated at $150,00O %, had been destroyed.
 The property consumed consisted of Concentrator No 2, Concentrator No. 8, the new conveyor system which had recently been constructed, and the ore bins and railway tressel work.
 The portion of the works destroyed had recently been reconstructeds pre- paratory to long shutdown and would have been in operation now had not the strike interfered. How ever, the major portion of the con- centrator plant, and the most costly, was saved.
 When pistol shots and the blowing Of the fire whistle announced the fire, spectators who rushed to the scene saw the upper portion of the con- centrator and the roof in. flames and burning fiercely.
 People focked to the scene by hun dreds and the glare of flames reflect ed by the mountain behind the old smelter site, could be seen for miles.
 The laying of fire hose was started and former employees, both Mexicans and Americans, were in the midst of the fight to save company property, against whom a strike is being con- ducted, and for whom they have not worked for the past two months. This force was augmented by volunteer citizens and when the real fight was on to stop the progress of the flames, no less than twelve hose lines were in use, both city and company water plants being brought into play.
 While one force was directing their efforts to saving the balance of the concentrator plant, under the direc- tion of old employees, familiar with the plant, another force with George Fraser and O. J Cotey and a small army of Mexicans turned their atten- 41 4ho h ;oI, were eating their way along the rail- way tressel over the ore bins to- ward thesa acid plant.
 It was soon apparent that the pro- gress of the flames in that direction must be stopped or the entire plant was doomed. A partial box of dyna- mite was secured and this was used with some success in making the first break in the long train of fire and back of this break, mounted on the high tressel, the fire fighters fought a successful fight, and when the flames had reached within approxi- mately twenty feet of the old acid plant, it was seen that the valiant effort that had been made in this vii cinity and also at the concentrator plant, was sure of its reward
 The fire burned for approximately four hours before it was safe to say that the danger to the remainder of the plant had passed.
 J. G. Cooper, purchasing agent and cashier of the A. c. Co. Ltd, was one of the first on the scene and helped secure the box of dynamite which was used on the trestle. He remained until twelve o'clock and at that time made the statement that his estimate of the company's loss was $15O,OOO. %.
 Origin of the Fire
 Curiosity over the origin of the fire was uppermost in the minds of the spectators. In the excitement of fighting the flames and the diff culty of locating the men who were on watch at the concentrator and vii cinity when the flames started, it was some time before information could be obtained. Later in the night affidavits were secured from J. A. Gale, F. L. Knapp, and John Patterson. The purport of these affdavits was to the effect that the fire started near the roof of the con- centrator, presumably in a big locker in that vicinity, and was caused by short circuiting of cleo