Evening journal., 1916-11-07
MILL SUPPLIES
licked UP IN
MORNING blaze
Exploding Oil Feeds Flames
in Atlantic Manufacturing
Co. Plant
LEATHER COMPANIES ARE
DAMAGED BY WATER

Handicapped by the absence Of the
Union Company apparatus and ade-
quate water supply from one fire
plug, the entire Fire Department of
this city this morning battled with
one Of tho most stubborn fires they
have had 10 contend with for several
years. The fire gutted the three
story plant of tho Atlantic Nanufac-
turing Company, manufacturers of
mill supplies. northwest corner Third
and Orange streets. water-sOaked
leather in the factories of the George
W. Chambers estate and the Del
marvia Leather Company adjoining,
causing loss estimated at close to
500 000 The losses are partly
covered by insurance. The origin OF
the fire has not been determined.
Despite the handicap. the firemen
worked hard and prevented the flames
from spreading TO the morocco plants
Of the George W. Chambers estate in
West Third street adjoining, and the
plant Of the Delmarvia Leather Com
pany in West Fourth street, whose
building extends back TO the walls
OF the destroyed plant.
The loss on the Atlantic Company
property was estimated at 9 o'clock
by Harry C. Stanton. secretary and
treasurer Of the company. at $4,000,
divided as follows. property, $4,000;
stock and machinery. $50 900. He
would not say that the plant would be
rebuilt.
The water loss to the Chambers
leather plant will reach several thou
sand dollars. Leather stacked in the
Company's shipping rooms awaiting
10 be shipped 10 Philadelph and Bos-
ton. was damaged In addition the
plant was put out OF working condi-
ton
Similar losses were caused at the
nlant OF the Delmarvia Company. but
I'm both plants fire walls. with the aid
OF the entire fire department. pre-
vented the flames from spreading 10
these buildings.
The fire was one OF the most spec
tacular the city fremen have had to
contend with for years, dense clouds
Of smoke rolling from the Atlantic
Company's building when they ar
rived To make matters worse the
flames soon ate their way through the
roof and tongues of fame shot heaven
ward. These were visible in the early
hours of the morning, the fire having
been discovered at seven minutes past
S o'clock by Grover c. Rineer, of No
GIG South Van Buren, street. an en-
ploye Of the Wilmington Provision
Company. whose plant is opposite the
destroyed building. The firemen who
responded TO the alarm from Box 212
Third and Tatnall streets, sounded by
Rineer found the blaze in a corner Of
the first floor near Fourth street. With
in an instant, however, the oil soaked
floors communicated the flames to the
entire first floor, and Assistant Fire
Chief DOnohoe, of the Washington Fire
Company, who responded to the still
alarm recognized the danger and
sounded a second larm. This was
at SIS o'clock. Fire Chief Golden, who
arrived before the alarm had ceased
striking, at once caused the third and
general alarm to be sent in.
In few minutes the entire fire de-
partment was pouring tons of water
into the burning building. Tongues of
flames shot skyward and the large
steel stack over the boiler room soon
fell to the roof
The firemen endeavored TO open the
doors Of the second floor of the build
Continued on Page Thirteen.)