Hemingray Glass Company - Muncie, Indiana

BIG PLANT IS BURNED

American Windowglass Company

Suffered a Great Loss in Muncie

From Fire.

A BIG STOCK RUINED

Fire From Gas Jet Ignited Curtain and

Dry Timbers Were Soon Blazing —

Firemen Do Good Work and Save

Other Buildings — Another Fire at the

Same Time.

The American Windowglass company's factory No. 12, in Industry, formerly the C. H. Over factory, was completely wiped out of existence Monday night by one of the disastrous fires that has visited Muncie in years. The main factory together with adjacent buildings were consumed by the flames which raged for several hours and which threatened a most tremendous fire in the suburb. The excellent work of the fire department prevented several homes from being burned.

The fire originated from a gas jet which was burning in a room at the rear of the factory, and occupied by C. P. Turner, who is one of the night watchmen at the plant. Riley Edwards, residing in Brotherton street, saw the fire start. He said that a curtain had blown against the jet and had become ignited.

The dry timber was soon ablaze and the flames spread rapidly. It was just about 8:30 o'clock when the fire department was notified. Companies Nos. 2 and 8 responded and spent several hours in fighting the raging flames. The sparks from the burning building threatened other properties in the vicinity, together with the Hemingray glass works.

The firemen fought successfully to save the fire form spreading. The sky was illuminated and the light could be seen several miles from the city. Hundreds of persons witnessed the destruction of the factory. C. P. Turner suffered a serious loss, amounting to about $200 in cash and some household goods. Mrs. Turner was ill and has a little child. They were made homeless but friends came to their aid.

The factory had been closed for a number of years. The re was a large quantity of stock stored in the building and this was ruined. The exact loss is unknown but it will probably reach $50,000. The plant will probably not be rebuilt. During the fire an alarm of fire was turned in calling No. 1 firemen to the home of John Wallace in South Elm street where a straw bed was burning. The loss was small.