The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-02-16

O f W Walls a
Aids Work
% Streams Of Water Are Be-
ing Thrown Directly on
Flames-Morris Plant
Damaged.
Several Fnemen Hurt

Fire in the Armour hog plant. which
was discovered at $40 Wednesday
morning. was still burning herceiy
last night. with loss estimated at
between 81 100000 and s1.750. 900. The
fire Is under control unless something
Unforeseen interferes. North and
south walls have fallen. and for the
first time since the FIRE started. fire.
men can throw water directly on the
flames.
Firemen were temporarily driven
back early last night by breaking OF
ammonia pipes in sections 17.is-19.
The supply was quickly shut off and
q slight breeze cleared the air Of the
I fumes
The fire died down in section fe and
efforts were centefed on the south end
Of section II and all Of section Is.
Clarence Urban Of Hose conf any
No. Is. stationed az Eighth and Pierce
streets. was caught by debris. as re
ran when the north wall collapsed.
Bricks struck him below the knees
and both feet were injured. He was
taken TO Paxton Memorial hospital.
where Il was said one OF his feet was
badly crushed. although not serious
lie lives at 1929 South Fifteenth
street.
Carl Risse. chauffeur az Station No.
S. Is in Lord Lister hospital. The
nozzle Of a high pressure hose. which
he was directing. broke loose from his
cold. benumbed hands and struck MIN
N the stomach. The extent OF his
injuries have not been determined.
The fire began 10 die down al noon
yesterday. Repeatedly the flames
would burst forth with renewed in
tensity and threaten to spread. but
were rapidly brought under control.
Walls Collapse.
The north wall. with the exception
of a triangular section IN the center.
collapsed al 4:5. The south wall fell
the second o. 5.25. These walls were
sections Il and Is Of the hog plant.
Seven pumps have been throwing
water on the blaze continuously since
6 Wednesday morning. Last night g
streams Of water were being PLAYED on
the fire
Sparks from the Armour fire ig-
uiied a wooden runway g, the Morris
plant yesterday afternoon. An alarm
vas sounded about O'Clock. but the
blaze was quickly extinguished.
Part Of the wall in section u.
where the fire IS now hottest, eaved
n shortly after II this morning.
strewing hundreds Of tons Of masonry
both inside and outside the building.
The south wall Of the structure
looks Ike an iceberg where streams
from high pressure hose lines have
been playing on IL Spray from the
hose nozzles has frozen and formed
SNOW drifts about the base of the
wall.
\. W. Armour. v.ce-president Of
Armour & Co. who arrived yesterday
morning from Chica go. declared that
as soon as possible.
we viii begin rebuilding as quickly
as possible. ard we msv be able &c
start hog killing hy today by max
ing a temporary arrangement IN a
portion 81 our own plant which IS un-
damaged" said Mr.. Armour.
We want 70 buy hags On the
Omaha market and Kill them here as
quickly as possible. LAST fan cur
hog Kin IN Chicago was burned. We
we're operating again within four
DAYS"
Mr.. Armour declared that the con-
solidation between Armour & CO. ana
the Morris Packing company Will not
. hnf- tr.
plant must be operated as unit.
Other than this he was noncomrnittaI
On the consolidation.
Model Plant.
When reconstruction Is begun. Mr..
Armour said the new plant will be
a model Of is SORT, ard equipped
with the latest machinery. He point
ed out, however. that L : impossible
10 pour concrete in rero weather.
The fire is one 81 the eigges, in the
history Of The Armour company. Mr..
Armour declared.
@. {. Willis. general manager of
tho local plant. says he hopes 10 be
in position shortly 10 handle tbs
eenipanys local business in hogs sat.
isfsctorily.
While We have suffered severely
by the fire, by Encouragement Of the
Distribution Of cur orders to other
plants. NC will be able 10 take care
Il our business satisfactorily he
said
Assistance Offered
AN Of our neighhor packers have
offered assistance In helping US 20