[Newspaper]
Publication: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, PA, United States
vol. 156, no. 35, p. 3, col. 8
FLAMES NECKED PORCELAIN PLANT
Imperial Works at Trenton Destroyed, Entailing a Loss of Over $100,000
Special to the Inquirer.
TRENTON, N. J., Feb. 3.—Fire lasting from 3 o'clock this morning until late, this afternoon destroyed the big plant of the Imperial Porcelain Works, causing a loss or $125,000 and throwing 160 operatives out of employment. The conflagration raged so fiercely that although the whole fire department of the city was pressed into service nothing could be done to check the spread of the flames, and it was with difficulty that the surrounding buildings could be saved. Frozen fire plugs added to the difficulties under which the firemen labored and a high wind increased the fury of the flames. Several firemen narrowly escaped death under falling walls but none was seriously hurt.
It is supposed that the fire started him one or the kilns, although at the time there was no one in the building but the watchman, and he did not discover the blaze until it had gained considerable headway. Then the distance from fire headquarters to. the burning plant still further hampered the department.
The buildings, several hundred feet in length and two and three stories high, were gutted and in addition much valuable stock was destroyed. In addition to this the company will lose heavily because of the fact that it has many unfilled orders on hand.
The Imperial Porcelain Works was composed of Frederic A. Duggan and B. B. Dinsmore. The concern is one of the biggest electrical porcelain specialty makers in the country. It was announced while the buildings were still burning that be plant would be rebuilt as soon as possible.