The Wrangell sentinel., 1947-06-13
Fire Wipes Out FarweSt-W -WrangelI Cannery
 With Great Loss

Fire of undetermined origin Monday night wiped out Farwest- Wrangell cannery in an inferno Of flames which spread with nEhtn- ing rapidity throughout the main buildings. Value of cannery ana equipment, estimated at S750,OO0, twill ultimately amount to much more for Wrangell in loss of labor and profits to fishermen.
 The fire started in ware house behind the mess hall and within a matter Of minutes had spread to adjoining buildings. h. tense heat from the raging flames could be felt from a block away.
 Wrangell's Fire Departmen re sponded immediately to the fire alarm, but due to inflammable contents of the warehouse and the progress the fire had made before ir was discovered, the fire had gained such headway that about the only hope for the firemen was 10 save surrounding homes. Figlt- ing through heat and smoke they managed to save the bunkhoIse and mess hall, but both buildings were badly charred on the side facing the fire. Luckily an east wind carried flames and burnlLg embers out over the bay but the roofs of more than one house in vicinity was smoking though pre- vented from burning. Three largo gasoline and oil storage tanks near the main gate were prevented from exploding by Gremen playing the hose on them continually to keep them cool.
 The entire netghborhood sur rounding the cannery was heaped with bedding dishes, furniture and all manner Of household furn- lshings carried from homes in the threatened area. Had the wind shifted into the west, spectators estimated the entire section would be burned.
 In 1924, on July 24, the Sani- tary cannery, at the same site, burned with a S2O0,O00 loss. The Admiral Rogers, in port at the time, helped fight the fire just as me Grommett Reefer, in port last Monday turned all her fire fight ing equipment on the Farwest- Wrangell fire.
 High praise IS due the Grom- nett Reefer and it's crew for the excellent work done. Captain Lar " Parks, who is well known here and skipper of the Grommett Reef CT, brought his ship around from the mill dock to the Farwest and tied up although the fire ragged only a few feet away. His men, under direction of First Mate Ed Larson, succeeded in saving t1s far end of the Farwest dock on which $21,000 worth of trap equip nent was stored.
 A. R. Brueger, who with Fred Buhrman of Anacortes operates the Farwest-Wrangel cannery, a. rived the noon following the fire. He immediately made plans to re- open the old Burnett Cannery, ne r the sawmill, but this was continS- ent on his ability to get the neces- sary machinery and get it installs sd in time He flew to Ketchikan on- ly an hour or two after arriving here and then went on to Seattle. He is expected back soon.
 Mayor Doris Barnes received a wire from Mir Buhrman Wednes- day thanking the local Fire De- artment and all people of Wran- gell who so galantly helped fight the fire.
 Mrs. Christine Darwell, pioneer Wrangell woman whose home abut- ted the fire area, also wished to extend her gratitude to those who worked so diligently and successful ly to save her home. All citizens of Wrangell at the scene, men and women alike extended a helping hand where needed.
 If Wrangell does not have a cannery operating here this season it will not only mean great hard ship to the people of the town but will also mean the loss of abo 10 $5600 in pack tax the city custom aryily receives which goes into the towns general fund.