Tacoma Department Makes Quick Work of a Lumber Fire

Tacoma Department Makes Quick Work of a Lumber Fire

Fire which started in a planing mill connected with the plant of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. at Tacoma. Wash., caused damage roughly estimated at $300,000. In describing the fire for this magazine, Chief George McAlevy says: "This lumber company's plant is located on the Tide Flats, between Eleventh street and St. Paul avenue, and occupies 100 x 500 feet ground space. The buildings, which were built about 23 years ago, are two stories high and of frame construction with partition walls of wood. A sprinkler system was provided. The fire, which started from an unknown cause, was discovered by the watchman in the planing mill about 4:35 a. m., and burned for three hours before the department was released. An alarm was responded to by one 1st size Metropolitan, one 2nd size Nott, two 2nd size Metropolitans, one 2nd size Continental one 2nd size Clapp & Jones, and two 3rd size Amoskeags. Upon the arrival of the department the flames were found to have spread to the mill, lumber sheds, tramways, and was encroaching upon the yards. The water system is standpipe and furnished good plug streams, with ample supply for the steamers. In the immediate district were nine 6-inch hydrants. About 11,750 feet of hose was run out, and with nozzles of 1⅛ and 1 1/2 inch capacity, 16 engine streams and 3 plug streams were maintained until the flames were under control. The streets at this point are very narrow, being only 20 feet wide and carry a 12-inch water main. Two Eastman deluge sets were brought into action, and after three hours’ battle the flames were completely extinguished, not having gotten beyond the premises of the lumber company. The property involved was valued at $350,000, the contents consisting entirely of machinery and lumber.”

Fire which started in a planing mill connected with the plant of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. at Tacoma. Wash., caused damage roughly estimated at $300,000. In describing the fire for this magazine, Chief George McAlevy says: "This lumber company's plant is located on the Tide Flats, between Eleventh street and St. Paul avenue, and occupies 100 x 500 feet ground space. The buildings, which were built about 23 years ago, are two stories high and of frame construction with partition walls of wood. A sprinkler system was provided. The fire, which started from an unknown cause, was discovered by the watchman in the planing mill about 4:35 a. m., and burned for three hours before the department was released. An alarm was responded to by one 1st size Metropolitan, one 2nd size Nott, two 2nd size Metropolitans, one 2nd size Continental one 2nd size Clapp & Jones, and two 3rd size Amoskeags. Upon the arrival of the department the flames were found to have spread to the mill, lumber sheds, tramways, and was encroaching upon the yards. The water system is standpipe and furnished good plug streams, with ample supply for the steamers. In the immediate district were nine 6-inch hydrants. About 11,750 feet of hose was run out, and with nozzles of 1⅛ and 1 1/2 inch capacity, 16 engine streams and 3 plug streams were maintained until the flames were under control. The streets at this point are very narrow, being only 20 feet wide and carry a 12-inch water main. Two Eastman deluge sets were brought into action, and after three hours’ battle the flames were completely extinguished, not having gotten beyond the premises of the lumber company. The property involved was valued at $350,000, the contents consisting entirely of machinery and lumber.”