The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-12

Destroyed
WHEN KINGSLAND, N. J.,
PLANT IS BURNED
Cause of Fire is Unknown But
Loss Will Be Millions
None Killed.

NEW YORK. Jan. 1.-THE plant
Of the Canadian Car and Foundry
Company, one half mile east Of Kings
land, n. j.. in which We're stored
hundreds Of thousands of three inch
shells destined for the Russian gov
ernment, was destroyed late today Dy
fire and a series Of explosions when
continued for three hours. SO lar as
could be learned tonight no one was
killed or injured. although it was said
seventeen workmen were missing. NO
estimate Of the loss was obtalnaole
but it was said it might reach
S4, 100000.
Approximately 1,400 men were EN-.
ployed in the plant which comprised
between 40 and so buildings and COW
cred about eighty acres Of ground. NO
munitions were manufactured at
Kingsland but the plant was used TOT
the filling OF shells, the chief consul
tuent used being trinitrotulol, one Oh
the most powerful explosives known.
While it was estimated that nearly
100000 shells exploded, primary fuses
or caps had not been attached to them
and consequently their detonatlon old
not cause havoc that follows thelr
explosion when used on european
battlefronts. The roar of the shells
which sounded like cannonade from
heavy guns, was heard for miles now
ever and the conclusions shook the
buildings within a wide radius of the
plant.
Two big magazines IN which we're
stored trinitrotulol nitric acid, pierre
acid and powder were not reached by
the flames and it was said tonlght
nnt IN 0anpar
kingsland, Rutherford and other
places nearby were filled tonight with
refugees who had fled from their
homes in the vicinity of the plant. A
dozen persons were arrested at Kings
land on charges Of petit larceny ana
orders we're issued by Sheriff Cour-
tier Of Bergen county to the guards
sent out by him in all directions, TO
shoot looters.
To Fix Responsibility
Thomas ]. Huckin, county prosecu-
tor and his assistants began tonight
an investigation 10 fix responsibility
for the disaster. 1t was said at the
offices Of the Canadian Car and Foun;
dry-,eonpany-that' their inquiry had
not been completed and that no state,
ment would be issued until tomorrow.
The fire which began at $3.50 p. m.
was still smouldering late tonight IN
the ruins. Shells exploded almost
continuously until 7:30 o'clock but ait
er that hour the delonations were only
The fire which led 10 the disaster in
a building where shells were being
cleaned with denatured alcohol. The
most generally accepted theory Is that
electric wires on the ceiling became
crossed and piece of blazing lnsula'
lion fell into the alcohol.
\ high northwest wind caused Inc
flames 10 spread rapidly through me
flimsy structures that made up tne
plant. The companys fire brigade
tried vainly to check the. fire and VITA
in q few minutes warning was given
and the employees fled Tor heir lives
The flames leaped from building 10
building which were filled with shells
awaiting shipment. There was liter
III reign of terror throughout Union
township in which the plant is sltuat-
ed.
5heriffs deputies and police from
NEARBY towns surrounded the plant
and gradually spread out for dls-
tance OF TWO miles in all dlrectlons'
warning the residents OF ihelr peru. ,
Within an hour after the fire started
the highways were filled with retu'
gees, men, women and children. Many
of the women carried babies IN. their
arms while others pushed BABY car