Ward Lumber Company Destroyed by Fire

 

Losses:

• Ward Lumber Co. $125,000
• Ironton Handle Com. $7,00
• Roller Coaster Co. $9,000
• Other Losses $9,000
• Total $150,000

At three o’clock yesterday afternoon fire broke out in the plant of the Ward Lumber Company at Sixth and Ashtabula streets, Ironton, Ohio, completely destroying the plant and an immense quantity of dry lumber in the yards.

The fire could not be confined to the lumber plant and spread to the plant of the Ironton Tool Handle company, the Allen Roller Coaster company, the parsonage of the Sydenstricker M.E. Church, the two-story frame residence of Harry Truby, a two-story brick dwelling belonging to the Tri-State Improvement company, and the offices of the Ironton Engine company. All these properties were practically destroyed and most of them were entirely wiped out.

The fire started in the waste burner of the Ward Lumber Company and in spite of prompt action with the private emergency hose of the lumber company, soon spread beyond control, and the fire department was unable to cope with the situation when it arrived.

The fire soon covered the dry lumber yards and leaped into the buildings occupied by the other industries mentioned, and the residences, including the Syndestricker parsonage.

It is estimated that the total losses will reach $150,000 and the best information obtainable last night indicated that this loss will be fairly covered by insurance.

The fire, which was the worst seen in Ironton for a number of years, was spectacular in the extreme. The dry lumber blazed like tinder and was consumed so rapidly that water seemed to have little effect on the flames.

A peculiar and pathetic incident noted in connection with the fire was relative to the Sydenstricker church. A few moments before the fire broke out a funeral party, accompanying the remains of a little girl, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Saunders, entered the church.

Before the funeral service was well underway the church became untenable on account of the heat, and it was decided for the party to move on to the cemetery and conclude the service there. This was done. A bucket brigade, valiantly operated by a number of volunteers, saved the church from destruction, but while the minister, Rev. W.N. Weiser, was at the cemetery conducting the funeral of the little girl and comforting her parents, the parsonage, his own home was completely destroyed with the greater quantity of the household effects.

Another incident bearing on the public was in connection with the ballgame scheduled between the Middleport and Ironton teams of the Mountain State League. The fans were just gathering at the park for the contest when the fire broke out. The lumber plant was located at the edge of the ballpark and when the fire was discovered, all the prospective patrons of the ballgame and the members of the two teams went to the scent of excitement, and the game was called off.

The fire was not gotten under control until about six o’clock in the evening.

The Ward Lumber Company is one of the best-known lumber concerns in the Ohio Valley and has many customers in Huntington, WV. It is reported that the fire destroyed the greater part of 12,000,000 feet of siding lumber and that three loaded cars standing on a railway spur entering the works were destroyed with their contents.