Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1910 — PLANT BURNS, 3 HURT [ARTICLE]

PLANT BURNS, 3 HURT

Soda Water Factory Destroyed, Loss Placed at $175,000. Two Firemen and Watchman Injured When Walls Collapse—Explosions Add Danger to Big Fire. Indianapolis Sept. 9.—Two firemen and a night watchman were seriuosly injured by the flames in a disastrous fire at the plant of the Bishop & Babcock Opal Onyx Iceless Soda Fountain company, Sherman drive and Sixteenth street. The loss is estimated at SIOO,OOO The Marietta Glass company, owners of the building, place their loss at $75,000 The loss is mostly covered by insurance It is believed the fire started from some combustible material in the drafting room. When the alarm was sent the interior of the building was filled with smoke. As the firemen effected entrance, the fire received more air, and an explosion occurred. The explosion occurred in the south end of the factory building, and at the same time the north wall of the .building fell, showing that the building was filled with gas The fire department had considerable trouble with horses during the fire. The horses before the truck of Hose Company No 21. started on a wild dash during the explosion and could not be stepped before they had galloped madly more than half a mile down the street.