The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-05-20
 Valued at S300,000 and Loss From Fire Is Believed
 to Be More Than
 S2OO,OOO CAUSE OF THE BLAZE MYSTERY; VERY HARD TO GET IN CONTROL Bremen Fought Blaze for Over Three Hours Yes terday Morning to
 Save Big Building

II V dlAAO2N AoJLl tyA0NN1y oS stroyed the sulphuric acid plant of the Steel Cities Chemi- cal company at Eighth avenue and Fifty-second street, Wy lam, yesterday morning. The lplant was valued at about $300,000 and the loss, from un- official estimates, will be in excess of $200,000. It Is. stated that it will require at least eight months to rebuild the plant, which covered a whole block.
 The plant was engaged exclusively in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, practically all of which was consumed | in the Birmingham district, large percentage being used by the Ameri- can Steel and Wire company, a sub- lsidiary of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railway company, in the manu- IdCCuTS DI us pIOuuClS.
 This plant was formerly known as the Virginia Chemical plant. and is only one of the many branches of this company located in the various south ern states.
 Reports from Fairfield state that the operation of the wire mill will un- doubtedly be hindered by the burning of this plant There were many rumors in Ensley, Fairfield and Vivian to the aff fat nf innqndiIrW origin but these could not be con- firmed last night and the cause is yet unknown.
 FLAMES GAIN HEADWAY
 The fire broke out in the main plant of the company yesterday morning about 6:S0 o'clock. it is estimated by the firemen from the Vivian and Ems ley stations. who answered the call. Both companies arrived shortly after being called, but it is stated that the flames had gained considerable head way before they were discovered.
 The main building was doomed from the first, and was destroyed complete ly before the fire was ever gotten un- der control. The firemen worked like Trojans in an effort to save the plant, but this proved to be of no use. and it was more than three hours before the flames were brought under con- trol.
 Nothing remains of the plant today except the sulphur storehouse and tho powder house, which were saved after much labor, No explosions occurred during the entire time that the build ings were in flames, and no lives were lost, so far as could be learned.
 R. A. Brown, president of the con- pany. and many officials of the sur rounding plants were on the scene shortly after the fire was discovered. Much anxiety was displayed over the danger which threatened the surround ing works.
 PRODUCT NECESSARY
 A large force of men was employed by this company. The product of the company is necessary to the operation of the wire mills, and it is estimated that from four to eight months will be required to again put the plant into working condition. which makes the fire of serious consequence to not only the community, but a misfortune which will be felt over the entire Bir- mingham district, at least.
 The American Steel and Wire con,- pany is engaged in the manufacture of war munitions. and it is obvious that the fire of yesterday morning is an im- pediment to the war programme of the country. It is rumored that de- tectives have been employed to trace, if possible, the origin, which is uli- known at present.
 R. A. Brown. president of the com pany. stated last night in the ab- sence of his partner. Culpepper Exum, who is in New York on a business trip, that he had rather not make a formal statement until they could do so jointly
 FIREMEN PRAISED
 q do want to extend to fhe two fire companies the sincere thanks of the company for the efficient help that they rendered and for the courtesy that they extended us by coming to the scene of the blaze, which, I understand, is entirely out of their territory. We feel that it is due to their work en- tirely that today the plant is not coni- pletely lost. believe that the plant can be rebuilt in about four to six months as we will probably be fa- vored in receiving materials because of the nature of our product"
 It is understood on good authority that the entire output of the plant is consumed by the Tennessee company, the Woodward company and the other plants in this district having large government contracts
 It is stated that the loss is prac- tically covered by insurance Offi- cials of the company seem to think that the fire had it's origin in the burner room, but the opinion of those who witnessed the blaze differs greatly