FIRE AT HUDSON’S.

Evening Star, Issue 14607, 1 July 1911, Page 8

FIRE AT HUDSON’S.

' A SPLENDID SAVE RY SPIIINKLErTaND BRIGADE. It is only a few weeks since there appeared in this journal a description of the Grinnell sprinkler apparatus which Messrs R. Hudson and Co. are installing in their extensive biscuit and confectionery works fronting Castle and Cumberland streets. No one anticipated that the apparatus would be called upon at once to justify itself ; but it was, only last evening, when a serious and inexplicable outbreak of fire occurred in the central manufacturing building, the only portion of the premises as yet fully equipped with this automatic fire-fighting device. It proved an expensive trial, but at least it vindicated completely the reliability of the sprinkler. Just before 7 o’clock an employee who lives over the office heard one of the sprinkler sprays discharging, and at once called the brigade by ’phone. At the same time the fire gong outside the building, which is connected with the sprinkler, stri<Js,ntly announced the outbreak, and while the brigade hastily approached tht? scene every sprinkier-hcad within range of the heat of the flames converged its spray upon them. The fire had begun in the well of the lift, and rushed up this narrow vent with devouring fierceness even to the roof. But, thanks to the sprinklers, it had not spread laterally when the brigade appeared and disjected two leads, one from the floor and the other from the roof. The overwhelming force of the water in a constricted area speedily quenched the flames, and Captain Mitchell directed that the valve controlling the flow of water from the mains to the sprinklers be shut. It was done, but when the fire renewed its leaping attack later, the valve was opened again. This caused a large proportion of the damage by water, for by the time the apparatus was again directed the increasing heat had melted the solder covering the sprinklers in a wide radius from the seat of the outbreak, and the water was discharged all over Ihe stock.

An inspection of the scene tins morning offers most complete and instructive evidence of the efficiency of the apparatus and of the brigade’s good work. The liftwell itself is absolutely destroyed, but the joists and beams a few inches from the outer shell of the well are not even charred. A Jot of water has fallen on the stock all over the three floors comprising the bakehouse, the pan room, and the biscuit-packing room, but the departments ’longside, partitioned with brick walls, and separated by iron, doors, are untouched. Nor has any of the expensive machinery been injured, and work was proceeding in the usual way this morning. The damage is confined almost entirely to the stock of confectionery, biscuits, starch, and other requisites of the trade. It is pretty extensive, amounting probably to nearly £I,OOO ; but, in all the circumstances, it is wonderfully light. Some years ago a fire in the same building left only the walls standing. The insurances on this portion of the premises total £7,000, divided directly between the Royal Exchange. Guardian, Liverpool and London and Globe, Yorkshire, North British. New Zealand, Queensland, and Atlas Offices. The Grinnell Sprinkler, which was the means of averting what would otherwise have been a disastrous fire for Messrs R. Hudson and Go., is unquestionably an absolute necessity, and a valuable asset to factories and warehouses. Consult Battersby and Co., Dowling street, for full particulars of installation.—[Advt.j