Anderson Porcelain Works Burn

Porcelain Works Burn.

A loss estimated at $50,000, with about $20,000 insurance, was occasioned and about 50 people are out of employment as a result of the total destruction by fire of the three-kiln plant of the Anderson Electric Porcelain Co., on Harvey avenue, East End, East Liverpool, at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon.

The fire originated from an overheated kiln and in less than three-quarters of an hour the entire works was burned to the ground. A low pressure of water in the Klondike handicapped the various departments summoned by the fire call, and the frame buildings of the plant were entirely consumed in a very short period. The main efforts of the firemen after their arrival were concentrated in confining the blaze to the porcelain plant to prevent their possible spread to the Ohio Valley Fire Brick Co.'s plant and the McClain planing mill on the east and west respectively.

The fire was discovered by Kiln Foreman Snyder, who was at the plant at the time. The first alarm was sent in from the fire whistle at the Ohio Valley Fire Brick plant, the Klondike volunteer firemen responding. Telephone and fire alarm calls summoned the central and East End fire departments. Fire Chief James McCullough conducted the fighting of the flames. As a result of the fire street railkway traffic from Oakland to a point at the state line was tied up for about an hour, owing to the burning out of one of the circuits of the East Liverpool Traction & Light Co., while telegraph wires in the vicinity were cut.

Another disadvantage encountered by the fire fighters was the fact that it was impossible to shut off the gas connected with the kilns, the vapor assisting in spreading the flames.

The regular firemen and the Klondike volunteers did good work. Three lines of hose, from the volunteer and East End departments, bursted during the fire, occasioning further handicap for the firemen.

The Anderson porcelain plant is owned by George Anderson of Pennsylvania avenue, East End. It is one of the main industries of the suburb. It is estimated that about 20 men and 30 girls were employed in the concern.