Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1921-07-26
FIRE DESTROYS
NORvELL PLANT
NEAR KEASbEy
Former National Synthetic Co.
Plant Totally Razed by
Fire Last Night
CAUSE IS NOT KNOWN
Firemen Overcome in Fiqht.
ing Chemical Fire, But No
Fatalities Are Reported
CAUSE IS NOT KNOWN

A spectacular fire, which attrac>
ted residents for miles around and
necessitated the calling of fire come
panies from nearby towns, practi.
cally destroyed the plant of the Nor.
veil Chemical company, formerly
known as the National Synthetic
company at Keasbey last night. The
total damage is said to have reached
the 100000 mark, and Judging
from the working conditions at the
plant during the past month, plans
Tor rebuilding will be started short
ly. The origin of the blaze has not
been definitely decided.
Due to the fact that the f1remen
were forced to get their water from
nearby ponds, as there are no hy.
drants in the vicinity of the plant,
1t took considerable time to check
the plaze. Over score of firemen
from the different companies were
overcome by chloride and sulphuric
furHes, and this also greatly ham-
pered the progress of the fire fgft-
ers.
1t is believed the blaze started in
the acid analyte department Of the
plant. which is used on different oc-
casions. the acid probably having
eaten away the insulation. It is said
the timber in this building, an old
structure, was saturated with picric
acid and spark would readily send
the place up in flames. This build.
ing and contents were entirely de-
Stroyed
Although there have been many
rumors regarding an expi0siof d iiF.
ing the fire. this report could not be
verified. but it has been learned that
IN f,I. l. i
iined In the analytic department.
burst out, it appeared at a distance
as If there had been an explosion.
Ihe dense smoke from this fire was
due to the old timber in the different
pulldings being saturated with acids.
The fact that there was nothing
lnfiammable in the scale salts de-
partment aided the firemen In their
nght, and it is believed that the
spread of the fire to the creosote.
shipping and warehouse departments
would have been unavoidable il the
contents of the scale department had
burned IKE the contents Of the acid
analyte plant.
Fire companies from Keasbey and
Fords were first at the scene. after
winch calls were given for the Linz
coin Engine Company of this city
carload of chlorine gas which was
placed in the yard yesterday between
the scale salt department and the
creosote plant, was mainly respons-
ible for the suffering of the flremen,
many having been overcome. This
tank was kept wet by the firemen
to prevent an explosion, but there
We're several leaks in the car and the
gas escaped in this way.
building containing acetylene
gas was saved by the firemen, as was
the boiler building and office struc-
ture. One box car on the plant sid
ing was slightly charred by the blaze.
There We're about seven streams
playing on the fire.
Michael Earsler, William Gloff.
John Sullivan and Max Wagenhoffer
were among the Keasbey firefighters
carried from the scene and given
first aid. and members of the Fords
and Perth Amboy companies were
also effected by the fumes.
The ruins were still smouldering
today. and several firemen were kept
at the scene throughout the night
and today. to prevent the blaze
from starting anew.