Big Fire At Pontiac

Pontiac, Mich. July 10 - (Special) - The most disastrous fire which has ever visited Pontiac occurred shortly after 9 o'clock this evening in the factory of the Pontiac Spring and Wagon Works. The fire started in the engine room and was discovered by the watchman while on his rounds. The local fire department responded promptly to an alarm, but were entirely unable to cope with a fire of such magnitude. The engine room is in the rear west wing of the building, but the fire had spread to the main building before its headway had been materially checked. Once in the main building the streams of water had no effect on the flames. The second floor was used as a paint shop and the oil and other inflammable material sent sheets of flames pouring from every window. Shortly after 10 o'clock a portion of the front wall fell into the street, covering several lines of hose and carrying down all the wires of the Western Union Telegraph Co. which runs directly in front of the building. Other parts of the wall fell at the intervals and at 11:30 the whole factory was a total loss. The factory was located on Patterson street and dwelling houses stood close on every side. A double house at No. 32 and 34, occupied by John Robinson ad George Foster ad their families was badly burned. The contents from this house and the ones adjoining it, as well as from those on the east side of the factory, were removed by the crowd. The factory was a two-story brick building and had a frontage of 20 feet on Patterson street. It was owned by A. G. North and Harry Hamilton. The building was valued at $20,000 and the stock at between $30,000 and $40,000. On account of the recent advance in the price of materials, the firm had stocked up heavily and were loaded in every line. Nearly half of next season's supplies, including 100 tons of springs and 15,000 sets of wheels were stored in the factory. The factory employed seventy-five men and was considerably behind with orders. The insurance was less than $10,000. While the fire was at its hight, fireman Archie McVean was overcome by heat. This was the only casualty of the fire. The whole fire department, as well as many spectators, fought the fire and hence there was no one to respond to a second alarm caused by a fire in the barns of the Cross farm, which were destroyed. The spring and wagon works was one of the busiest of the Pontiac factories and its loss is a blow to the city as well as to the owners.