Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-11-19
FIRE DOES 100000
DAMAGE At MATAWAN
Explosion in Plant Of WiCkham
Co. Destroys That Building
and MenaCeS Other Plants in
the Vicinity --Firemen do Fine
Work

BD Special Correspondent.
MATlAWAN, Nov. 19.-Ffre last
night wiped out half of the plant of
the Wickham Company of New Jer-
sey, in Church street and threatened
the large plant of the A. p. Munnng
Company, the pumping Station of the
MataWan Water Works and several
residences in the vicinity of the plant.
The fact that there was no wind to
speak of, good water pressure and
the hard work of the firemen kept the
flames confined to the Wickham plant,
with loss to that company of approx
imately 100000. Firemen from all
surrounding towns helped fight the
blaze.
The fire started shortly before 6
o'clock last night, following a dull ex-
plosion near the japanning ovens.
There was no one in the building at
the time and those who live in the
vicinity of the plant who ran from
their homes saw only a little blaze
burning in front of the ovens, which
Is known as the pit" Before any
one could get to this blaze however,
two other explosions took place and
fames burst from all windows in the
long one story frame building. When
the firemen arrived, it was found i'm
possible to save the burning structure.
All attention was put on the large
foundry company. and the buildings
Of the A. p Munning Company across
the street, which were then on fire.
Time and time again it seemed
that the large three story factory
building of the A. 2. Munning Com
pany was doomed, but the firemen on
the roof of~the plant and those in
front of the building, Drawing the
great heat kept the Munning plant
wet down and thus saved the struc-
ha h1ti1
Wlckham Company was on fire many
times and one corner of this build
ing was badly burned, but the build
ing itself was ~aved.
The Wickham Company of New Jer
sey is branch of the Wickham Com
pany of Ohio, the largest manufac-
turers of piano plates in the world.
All the books and records in the Of
tice were saved, but the building Is
badly burned. The building which
was totally destroyed was 200 feet
long by 100 feet wide. and contained
the machine department, finishing
and shipping departments. All the
material in the building, consisting
of drills and other machinery used in
the finishing of the plates after they
have left the foundry, Is destroyed.
Mr.. Wickham said last night that
the concern would at once rebuild the
burned structure with fire proof ma
terial. During the blaze the hose were
placed across the tracks of the Free
old division Of the Central railroad of
New Jersey and trains operating on
this line were, held up for sometime
Sparks set fire to several of the houses
in the vicinity of the plant and the
firemen were kept busy putting these
flames out.
The great reflection of the blaze in
the sky, brought fire companies from
Keyport, Morganville, Hazlet and
other surrounding towns The large
pumping engine of the Keyport de-
partment aided greatly in keeping the
flames confined to the Wickham plant
Coffee and sandwiches were served to
the firemen by the company after the
blaze was under control. This is the
first big fire to occur since Charles r.
Scholl became chief of the depart
ment and he directed the fighting of
the flames in mastery style AL
though few firemen were burned by
falling sparks, no one seriously
injured.