The Alaska daily empire., 1922-10-30
SALMON CREEK POWER HOUSE
 IS DESTROYED
Razed by Fire Early Sunday Morning $40,000 Loss
 Is Insured.

The Alaska Gastineau Mining Company's Salmon Creek Power House No. l, was totally destroyed for use by fire. early Sunday morn ing. The exact cause of the fire IS unknown. It is estimated that the approximate loss is $40, 1000, accord ing to a statement made today by E. Gastonguay, chief of the electrl- cal department The plant was val ned at between $80,000 and $90,000. Insurance covers all losses Mr. Gas tonguay said.
 The wheels and generators were damaged beyond use but can be salyaged to be rebuilt, MT. Gas tonguay said. The transformers are uniniured as the transformer and high tension room was saved from the flames by the work of the three operators at the plant who Kept steady stream of water on that sec tion, which is separated from the main building by about two feet Of space. The foundation, which is made of concrete was unlnJured. The building was burned to the ground.
 Fire About 2 A. M.
 The plan was shut down at mid night for the night, when every thing was apparently in good order' It is thought the plant caught nre about ? o'clock in the morning. Ac- cording to Art Bringdale, there was no indication of fire in the plant at about 15 minutes to when ne drove past on the way to the Jul neau dairy at Mendenhall. When he reached Daner's ranch, returning to Juneau the sky was alight with the reflection of an apparently blg fire. The car arrived at the power house at about 30 and it was then mass of flames, MT. Brlngdale said. AS the ear reached the plant two distinct explosions were heard from the plant. It is not known what caused the explosions.
 The telephone wire had been dis connected by the fire and the three operators were plying one stream ol water on the blaze. The Aux Ba! stage which had preceded Bring dale's car toward town rushed al top speed for the fire hall, arriving there at 2:45 o'clock The alarm was turned in immediately and the truck left about 10 minutes later for the plant, arriving there shortly after o'clock. It was only possible to use one line of hose, with the pump, be- cause of the lack of water, the tide being out. The water was taken from ths spillway from the power house which runs to the beach.
 Consumed by Flames.
 The power plant was practlcaily consumed by the flames when the fire truck arrived there, according to the firemen. The water was played on the flames in an effort tc control them and the transformer and high tension room and three residences were protected. A strong southeasterner helped to keep the flames from the residences.
 The fire truck remained at the plant until 6:10 o'clock in the morning.
 Splendid Work.
 "The operators at the plant ana the fire boys did a splendid work in controlling the fire" said MT. Gastonguay "The night was stormy and bitterly cold and the men work ed steadily until the flames were eX- tinguised. They are deserving of highest commendation.
 The destruction of the power plant was only a temporary inter ruption of the supply of electicity for local use and the load is now being carried by Power House No 2, MT. Gastonguay said.
 Nothing will be done on the prop ertS until word is received from the insurance companies, MT, Gaston- quay said. The plant will be rebuilt he said, although it is not possible to