The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-04
FLAMES sweep FORD
auto BUILDING
Continued From First Page.


A water tower was improvised on
the Mount Vernon truck and this was
brought into play promptly by the
Fire Chief. 1t threw streams of water
into the third story.
At ten minutes of one O'Clock the
building collapsed, and nothing re-
NAMED but the walls of the first floor.
The falling walls crushed in a small
Ohestory frame blacksmith shop beside
the Ford building, run by Urick Fred
erickson. This building, together with
the New York Oyster House and sta
BILE that were in danger nearby, are
owned by Frank E. Taylor.
After the collapse of the Ford
building the iremen directed their
streams on the building of the Nuss
Manufacturing Company, manufactur
ers of electroplates and band instru-
ments.
c. w. Nnss is manager. The build
ing is located at Cameron and Null
berry streets and was separated from
the Ford structure by small unoccu
pied space.
The burning Ford building, so close
to the Mulberry street bridge, afforded
a spectacle for thousands of persons
! lined along the ratings on the north
/ side of the viaduct, as the fire started
/ during the dinner hour, large numbers
/ of men and women were making their
way across the bridge. They stopped to
watch the flames while other crowds
/ came from all directions.
Before the collapse of the walls of
the big building, the heat of the fire
became so intense that the crowds were
forced to shift their positions ON the
bridge,
The explosions frightened quite
many, too, and the dread of some sud
den outbreak in the burning structure
kept women spectators, especially, from
remaining too near.
When the flames had subsided to
some extent the crowds on the bridge
pressed back against the railing on the
ncrsa side of the structure so eagerly
,.at the police reserves and all the
available members of the day force
vino could be sent to the fire were di
rectci to keep them back for fear the
railing would give way.
1t WAS recalled in this connection
that many of the concrete posts holding
the railing have cracked at different
times and given other signs of weak
ness.
During the height of the blaze the
flames were so hot that there was some
alarm lest they would do injury to th'
bridge. Hremen took advantage of the
proximity of the bridge to the burniu:
building and several streams of waite
were directed from the structure.
Save Cars From First Floor
The blaze started during the moo
hour, when but few persons were il
the garage, but those who were ON tn
first floor were attracted by the smel
of smoke. BY that time the two uppe
floors of the building were so filed wit
smoke that it was impossible to ente
without mask.
Jacob Aurabaugh, shop foreman o
the garage, was among those in tn
building and he directed the efforts o
two chauffeurs in saving few ear
on the first floor. Six were rolled
safety, together with some eases col
tanning automobile accessories
The building was soon surrounded o
all sides by fremen. The aerial ladde
on the Mt. Vernon truck, which
Y equipped with hose line and nozzl
j, which can be operated from the groun,
a was run up to the front of the buildin,
!. trolley support wire being cut fc
a this purpose. The ladder was place
s opposite~a front window and Just 6
4 the stream was turned on flames bur:
a from the window and the top of til
: ladder started to burn.
a Other streams were sent into tn
window from all sides-from the roc