Miscellaneous, Fire at Rockdale - 1873

Fire at Rockdale

Bainbridge Republican, May 10, 1873

 

On Thursday morning of last week, the extensive Bedstead Manufactory of Barr & Pardoe, at Rockdale, caught fire and in a few moments, as it were, was entirely consumed.  A fire had been built in a stove, the pipes of which passed through the floor above and entered into the chimney in the second story.  The room immediately over the stove and through which the pipe passed had been used for a varnishing and finishing room and was dry as tinder and saturated with varnish and oil.  While the workmen were away at breakfast, the pipe had become so hot as to ignite the dry  pine which surrounded it and though quickly discovered, it made such rapid progression as to be unquenchable with any minas at hand.

 

The factory was owned by Mr. Amos A. Burr, and was jointly occupied by himself and partner.  It was a two story building 40x16 and well filled with the most modern and approved machinery for carrying on the business for which it was occupied.  Only six or eight hands were employed, for the factory was supplied with machinery capable of making every part of the required work.  In addition to the machinery there was a large quantity of raw and partly manufactured material in the building which was all burned.

 

The loss was about five thousand dollars, upon which there was no insurance.  It falls heavy upon Mr. Burr who is an industrious, hard working man, and can ill afford the loss.  We understand that an effort is being made in Rockdale and Guilford to assist him in rebuilding his works, which we trust will be successful.  In so doing the benevolent will not only aid a worthy man but re-establish a branch of industry which can not easily be dispensed with by that locality--Telegraph