The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-09-03
SPECTACULAR
blaze BURNS
NIGHT LONG
Roek Island Lumber Co
New "Pocket" Swept
by Flames.

Fire in coal pocket in the Rock
leland Lumber and Manufacturing
company yards last night destroyed
hin structures and swept through
1860 tons of coal stored there.
The blaze, which was discovered
about 80 was still burning II
hours later, and during the early
hours OF the evening furnished the
tr.-cj;Ies with the most spectacular
fire in months A half dozen lines OF
hose were played on all parts OF
the 124-foot long crib until mid
night and for hours afterward new
er less than three streams OF water
we're thrown into the huge goal
stores.
Officials Of the company this
morning said their loss would be
between $685. 900 and $4,000. They
based this estimate upon a rs to SO
Der cent loss of the structure, COM
pleted seven months ago at a cost
Of $4,000, and loss to coal supplies.
The fire reached parts of each OF
the II coal bins which were includ-
ed iii the two unit pocket"
The company ascribes the fire to
sparks from a passing engine. They
supported this by declaration that
throughout the day coal had been
passing through the bins in which
the blaze started and that a fire
examination in mid-afternoon re-
vealed no indication of spontaneous
combustion.
The Ere started in bins in the ex-
treme north end of the pocket
1t shot quickly to the roof, where
II was first seen, and then swept
across the top of the whole struc-
ture, eating fiercely through the
hickory roof. Flames caught on
the upper layers of coal, burned
down the wooden sides of the struc-
lure, burrowed into the coal piles
and stubbornly resisted every ef-
fcrt to quench them.
All Stocks Damaged.
The bins, it was said, held 25 car
loads u coal, and all of it has been
damaged either from fire or water
alG heat. Unloading chutes in the
bottom were not opened until the
|, fire was well under control and af-
fort then directed at salvaging the
stock.
Four fire companies fought
through the night to extinguish the
confagration and prevent its spread
TO the valuable stocks of lumber in
immediate vicinity of the coal bins.
Yard hose was played during the
early hours of the fire against the
adjoining buildings and prevented
heir destruction Lack of any
breeze and particularly an east or
southeast wind as on the previous
night would have meant probable
o2struction of the whole yards and
fpehtion of the 1908 fire.
Fire Chief August Schmidt was
On Fourth street car in the vicil-
ity OF the lumber company when
me flames first burst forth. The
chlef took immediate command Of
Inc situation, which was made diff
Icult to handle on account of hum
ufeds of automobiles blocking the
incoming fire trucks.
II Is estimated that not less than
4O'eoO people from the tr1-city COM
hanlty, attracted by the spectacu-
iar blaze, were soon on the scene,
shu automobiles lined up on the
streets for blocks in every direc-
ton.
Due to the congestion and care
IeSSness of motorists one accident
occurred and a fireman narrowly
escaped death before the work of
making fire line connections was
completed.
The fire truck from the No. 2 sta
Son stopped on Fourth avenue,
neadlng west. An automobile back
~ ~ INTO it, breaking the bumper on
3e truck and bending the tenders.
Firemen Near Death.
Daniel Doyle, pipeman with the
central station pump company, mar
so"iy escaped serious injury or
eeath In the path of a speeding au-