South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-17
GRAIN ELEVATOR
AND COAL DOCKS
OF N. Y. c. BURN

odtlte ms men were nghting against
the blaze-enveloped elevator. issued
order 10 begin work on the coal
docks in an attempt to save them.
This order was complied with and
the entire squad Of fire-fighters di-
rected their attention on these docks.
and as a result they were partially
saved
As the elevator began to crumble
Ia the ground. the telegraph wires
strung across the tracks from II be-
came ignited, and was II not for the
prompt action of Sergt. Keller in
ordering the current in all wires in
that vicinity cut off, the lives of
several hundred people might have
been endangered. The wires soon
fell sputteringly but harmlessly to
the ground.
The fire was discovered by Mr.
Reynolds just as he was ready TO
leave his Office. Mr.. Reynolds de-
clared that his attention was first
attracted by a pickering light in
the fields. He Immediately began
an investigation and saw that the
upper portion Of the elevator was on
fire.
He. Mr. Shea and Mr.. Conlin i'm
mediately attempted TO ascend to
the top floor Of the elevator but only
succeeded in getting about half way.
when they found that it would be
impossible for them TO go farther.
They rushed back 10 the office and
sent in a still alarm.
Mr.. Reynolds declares that Mr.
Conlin had made the rounds of his
beat less than 5 minutes before the
blaze was discovered, and at that
time nothing unusual was noticed.
Coffee I'm Building Ripe.
He stated that nearly all OF the
coffee stored in the elevator was
ripe, and for this reason special pre-
caution had been taken 10 guard
it. In nearly all Of the fires in eIe-
vators where coffee is stored. he
said. the fire generally breaks out
when the coffee has become partial
~ ripened.
The cause of this. he further stat
ed was the peculiar inflamable condi,
ton the coffee reaches when it be-
NoAAito POI tAdtlg ripe. MS Was the
only theory Mr.. Reynolds had to
advance regarding the possible ori-
gin Of the fire.
Besides the thousands Of people
who swarmed onto the railway
tracks. several hundred more we're
content 10 remain in automobiles
which TANNED the streets in all di-
rections for several blocks around
With the railroad tracks literally
packed with a sea OF humanity.
train crews on both the New York
Central and Grand Trunk railway
lines were forced 10 lose several
hours. as they stood idly by watch
ing the cOnfiagratiOn.
Homes Threatened.
Several hundred PEOPLE in the vi
cinity of the blaze fearing the posi-
bilities of their homes and property
becoming ignited from falling sparks
stood anxiously by Watching with
/ eager eyes the destination Of each
flying ember.
At an early hour this morning. the
fremen had managed to get the
blaze under control. The place
where once stood the elevator
building is now but a mass of smoul-
dering ruins. while the coal docks
are burned 20 such an extent that
they are liable 10 collapse at any
time.
The terrific temperature manu-
featured by the burning buildings
and their contents could not be
withstood closer than 500 feet by the
huge crowd that gathered about the
conflagration in the form OF hu-
man amphitheater while the intense
chemical action OF the heat bent the
railroad rails in long snaky contours
for blocks along the scene OF the
blaze
According 20 railroad employees
this difficulty VIII De overcome by
switching but before this can be
done miles OF hose that are laying
across the tracks shall have 20 be
removed before train service on the
Grand Trunk and New York Central
lines can be resumed.
Trains Held Up.
No. Is. a passenger train on the
Grand Trunk and No. Sc. a manifest
train. loaded with perishabls goods
were held up at midnight while three
other manifest trains, No. 90. g. and
% which are due over the Grand
Trunk lines between midnight and
morning viii also be held up.
There are four trains over the
New York Central lines that are in
similar predicament. The resump-
ton Of their schedule will depend
entirely upon the progress made by
the IRE department
Mr.. Reynolds said that only s15.-