Western Glass Manufacturing Company, Denver, Colorado

WESTERN GLASS

FACTORY BURNS

Employes Barely Escape -

Woman Rescued by Chief

and Many Firemen Injured

Fire caused by spontaneous combustion yesterday afternoon destroyed the plant of the Western Glass company at West Bayaud and Navajo, or South Eighth street. But for resourcefulness on the part of firemen called to the fire, and particularly Chief J. J. Moses, one life at least might have been lost. The plant is a total wreck, at a loss of $150,000. The loss is two-thirds insured. The plant of the Western Chemical works, one block away, also was threatened. About 200 persons are thrown out of employment by the fire.

The fire originated in the gas compartment of the sand smelter about 3 o'clock, and before any measures of protection could be taken had spread to a tank of oil, which exploded.

The flaming oil was scattered over the entire building, which occupied a full block, and, notwithstanding the fact that the entire roof of the plant was covered with a corrugated iron roofing material, practically the entire plant was ablaze when engine company No. 11, engine companies 7 and 12 and truck No. 2, accompanied by Chief Owens and Assistant Chiefs Healy and Dulmage, arrived at the scene.

Chief J. J. Moses, who up to that time had been in charge of the fire, had stationed himself at the east side of the building from whence emerges a waste chute. The employes on the second and third floors, finding themselves cut off by the fire, which had rapidly spread from interstices in the roof to the stairways, ran in a body to the waste chutes from the second and third floors and made perilous escapes to safety through the twenty-two-inch chute.

A woman employe became wedged in the chute, and but for the bravery of Chief Moses might have been roasted to death. Chief Moses, hearing the screams of the imprisoned girl, secured a ladder from the truck, and, mounting to the top of the scorching chute, which was eight feet from the ground, crawled into it, and, catching the girl by the feet, dragged her to safety.

Firemen Are Burned.

Simultaneously with the explosion of the oil tank, the flaming particles of oil were scattered over the entire block. Firemen, volunteers and regulars, at least twenty-five in number, were burned about the face, neck and hands by the inflammable material, but resolutely persisted in their task of reducing as far as possible the loss of life and property.

The injuries consisted mainly of burns to the persons of employes of the plant, who volunteered in the effort to save the company's property.

The property of the Western Chemical works, situated but a half block from the fire, was threatened, and until nearly midnight was protected by several fire companies, who were served with refreshments by admiring residents in the neighborhood.

There were rumors that several lost their lives in the fire, but officers of the company stated last night that all had been accounted for.

The Western Glass company is composed of M. W. Gano, general superintendent, and Geral Hughes, F. R. Ashley, G. W. Wood and Henry C. James, directors.

J. J. MOSES Fire Chief, Who Made a Daring Rescue of a Woman at the Western Glass Works Fire Yesterday.

During the fire Mr. Gano announced that unless the other directors take a different view of the situation the structure will be rebuilt as soon as possible. The other directors refused to state positively whether this course would be pursued, but admitted that the business was on a paying basis, and if the necessary structural work can be secured within a reasonable length of time a new and better structure will be built.

Benedict & Gill, insurance agents, who insured the company against loss on the building, announced yesterday that but little time would elapse before the insurance would be paid, and unless something develops to invalidate the insurance, rebuilding should commence before May 30.

The oncoming building season is an important factor, and sufficient output is desired by the directors to supply at least a portion of the trade.