Imperial Porcelain Works destroyed by fire

IMPERIAL PORCELAIN

PLANT IS DESTROYED

Fire of Unknown Origin Does Great Damage

In East Trenton. Messrs. Duggan and

Dinsmore Will Rebuild at Once.

Fire of unknown origin practically destroyed the plant of the Imperial Porcelain Company, Klagg avenue and Mulberry street, yesterday morning. The damage is between $70,000 and $75,000, covered by insurance. The only buildings of the plant which remain intact are the die house and a portion of the packing shed.

The fire was discovered about 5 o'clock yesterday morning by Leopold . . . [illegible text] . . . of 127 Old Rose street, nightwatchman at the works. He blew a whistle in the boiler room. This awakened John Costello, of 220 Klagg avenue, who turned in an alarm from box 57, after having broken in the door of the box with a hatchet, because of the absence of a key.

The conflagration was a spectacular one and burned for twelve hours. Chief Allen and six engines and two trucks responded to the call and one of the engines, No. 4, remained at the fire until 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

SAVED SURROUNDINGS

When Chief Allen arrived at the fire the whole centre of the plant was in flames and walls on the Mulberry street side had fallen in. The roof soon collapsed and it being apparent that the plant could not be saved, Chief Allen directed the efforts of his men to the saving of surrounding buildings. In this work the department was exceptionally successful.

A high wind prevailed during the fire and this is held responsible for the complete destruction of the plant.

WILL REBUILD

The Imperial Porcelain Company was founded about fifteen years ago by Frederic A. Duggan. Benjamin Dinsmore later became associated in the business. The product of the plant was electrical fixtures of all sorts, made of porcelain.

The building which the company occupied was the old Stilt house. It was two stories and of old brick construction. The interior work was all of wood.

Mr. Duggan has announced that the 260 hands employed at the plant will lose but little time, because the business will be carried on in another building until the company has time to put up a modern factory building. The work of rebuilding will be started at once.