Ironton, Ohio
Thursday, March 24,1887
Fire at Etna
But the Furnace Keeps Going
Submitted by
Diane Sparling
On Wednesday evening of last week,
the big brick stock house, at Etna furnace, a mile above town was
destroyed by fire. The fire started about 7 o’clock, in the
engine house of the hoist. The workmen were getting ready to
start the furnace, after a rest of a couple weeks, and the blast
was to be put on the next morning, The cross head of the engine
had been broken, and an employee started to the blacksmith shop to
get it fixed leaving the lamp burning. Before he returned, the
lamp exploded or upset, in some way, when the greasy floor quickly
ignited, and soon the flames were creeping to the roof. It was
impossible to stop them. A slight wind through the stock house
helped the fire onward. It was easily seen that nothing could save
the stock house, and so every effort was made to protect the hoist
and engine. These were successful, but the stock house went,
leaving nothing but some ragged and tottering walls. The roof of
the stock house was slate, but it went about as fast as if it were
shingle.
In the stock house,
was a lot of ore, coal and coke. Of
course the ore was safe; most of the coke was saved, but the coal
was consumed in the flames.. The entire
loss of material in the stock house foots up about
$1,700.
As for the stock house,
that was a stupendous structure, more costly than necessary, and
which is no serious loss, as a stock house to cost about $3,000
will take its place, and to answer every purpose. Such a house is
to be put up immediately, to be the size and on the place of the
old stock house. So the absolute loss will be less than $5,000,
There was no insurance. The furnace itself was not injured and is
again in blast, doing as well as ever.
Mr.
Pluemer was on his way here from
Cincinnati, when the fire occurred, and learned of the
disaster at Portsmouth. With his usual zeal, he has arrangements
perfected to have the furnace go right along with its work.
