South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-17
OIL BARREL
SPREADS FIRE
In EXPLOSION
Large Part Of New Factory
Section Is Threatened
by Flames.
TWO MEN OVERCOME
Score Of Hose Lines Are Used
in Extinguishing
the Fire.

Damage amounting to $4,000 re-
suited late Friday afternoon when a
barrel OF turpentine exploded in the
lumber yard near Plant of the
Studebaker factories here. sending "a
burning spray over 5000 square
yards of the lumber storage, which
Immediately blazed up. a small
fire had started in the shed used 10
house paint, and when this reached
the barrel OF explosive liquid the
blaze assumed dangerous proper
tons, as a large part of the new sec
ton Of the factories was threatened
for a short time. Two men were
overcome BY the smoke, but these
were soon able TO 90 home without
aid
The first alarm was turned in at
$50. BY that time the fire had
started in a dozen piles OF lumber,
and was eating its way under and
through them. The second alarm
was given, and then the third. Seven
companies answered the calls, and
score OF lines were throwing water
within q short time. II was not un-
I'll 9.15 y. IN. that the last COM
panies were Withdrawn.
Stacks OF Planks Burn.
The tremendous start given the
the Liles of heavy timber into which
the flames had penetrated made the
work Of the fTemen difficult. Whole
stacks OF planks were blazing by the
time hose lines could be laid
through the closely piled lumber,
and 10 was necessary 10 tear these
down before the flames could be eX-
tinguishcd.
Many volunteers aided the fire.
men as they cut loose with their
hose lines Outside the lumber
yard the bumpers were increasing
the pressure, which but for their
presence would have been very low
AZ such a distance from the city
pumping station. The dry pine
boards blaZed furiously at first, but
the onslaught Of the water finally
subdued them.
As soon as the >utside portions Of
the lumber piles were eXtinguished.
the boards were pulled out and the
stacks torn apart. after which the
boards were soaked with water
Puddles formed everywhere as hose
lines were used TO force boards out
from the piles.
Causes Clouds OF Smoke.
The lumber. mostly Zine, smoked
a great deal. and great clouds OF
yellow and white vapOr rolled sky
ward. hiding the fremen from the
view OF the hundreds OF men and
bows. and even girls. who climbed
the fence surrounding the lumber
yard and assumed points OF vantage
on top OF the piles OF oak when
bc~dered the yard. but which were
not touched by the flames Those
plaving golf at the Country club, SIX
miles away. could see the pillar OF
smoke IL was reported
After two hours the blaze ap-
reared 70 be practically over. but
The firemen examined every pile OF
lumber for a possible lurking spark
which might give the fire a new
start. Four hose companies were
retained to watch the yards. and the
last OF these was not released by
CHIEF Sibrel until long after dark.
Estimate Damage.
Most OF the damage. which Is es-
fimated at $50, 900, was on the score
OF the lumber. \ small shed IN
which the raint was housed. and the
paint stored there. were the only
other items to be taken into ac-
count.
A crowd OF probably two thou
sand persons watched the tremen
as they battled with the smoke and
flames. The fact that the nrst
alarm was given shortly before the
factories closed for the day brought
hundreds OF workmen 20 the scene.
and practically all OF the houses IN
rbe vicinity were emptled as their
occupants went TO watch the fire.