Casein Factory File, 1944

Casein Factory Leveled by Fire

Second Time in 24 Years

Bainbridge News & Republican, February 3, 1944

 

 

One of the worst fires in the history of the Village of Bainbridge completely destroyed two-thirds of the Casein Company of America factory early Tuesday evening causing damages estimated approximately between $200,000 and $500,000.  For a short time, the residential area near the plant was threatened, and had there been a high wind as of the previous night, the situation would have proven most disastrous.

 

It is reported that plans are underway for the erection of a new building at once and salvaging began Wednesday morning on the twisted ruin.

 

A fire proof annex constructed in the front of the original building and separated by a firewall, suffered only water damage; the saving of this building was very valuable as considerable equipment was housed in this portion.

 

The plant, a three-story brick building located on Johnson street, along the Delaware & Hudson Railroad tracks, was a blazing inferno within a few minutes after its discovery with flames shooting into the air 40 to 50 feet high.  The cause of the fire has not been determined.  James Singmaster Jr., manager, stated he didn't have any idea what could have happened.

 

The Bainbridge firemen responded to the call at once under the command of Assistant chief Arthur Clark, who took charge in the absence of Chief Leigh Evans.  The local firemen were greatly handicapped at first because of lack of water pressure due to the small water main on Johnson street.  However, upon the arrival of Sidney and Afton Fire departments, who came to our assistance in record time, with added hose, lines were extended from Pratt's Garage, American Separator Company, Greenlawn avenue, and Newton Creek.  Also the Sidney first aid ambulance was on hand prepared to meet any emergency which might arise.  The fire was under control in approximately three and a half hours. 

 

John Scanlon, watchman at the D.&H. crossing on Johnson street, was the first to discover the fire.  He stated that he saw smoke coming out of the second story windows on the East side of the building at about 5:35.  Because he had been notified that a troop train was due, he was unable to leave his post to report the fire, but he stopped an approaching car and asked the driver to turn in the alarm.  In a few seconds, he stated further, there were two explosions after which dense black smoke poured forth and within a few minutes flames were raging.

 

Arthur Zeh, night watchman at the plant, had just completed his round of inspection a few minutes before the fire was discovered and he stated there was no fire apparent at that time.  All of the employees had departed and no one was in the building at the time the fire started.

 

In the portion of the building where the blaze apparently started is housed most of the machinery of the entire plant, also Casein adhesives and small package products.

 

All trains on the railroad were held up for more than two hours, as firemen stretched hose across the tracks to reach the building.  Three loaded freight cars on the siding at the factory were moved to a siding at the lower end of town.  Two of the three cars caught on fire but the flames were soon under control.  Telegraph wires were cut off by the flames.

 

The plant is one of the five factories in Bainbridge owned by the Borden Company of New York City, and employs approximately 200 people.  William Callan, of New York City, is president; Dr. Henry V. Dunham, vice-president, who is recovering from a recent illness at his home in Bainbridge; and Walter J. Roider is factory superintendent.

 

In 1920, the factory, a wooden structure, burned to the ground, and the presen tplant was rebuilt on the same site.

 

G.E. Howland, chairman of the emergency committee of the Bainbridge Branch of the Red Cross, assisted by its committee and volunteers, did an excellent job serving coffee, sandwiches, doughnuts and cakes, to the half frozen firemen.  Coffee and cookies were also contributed by a number of individuals. The kitchen of the Central Hotel was used as headquarter to prepare the food.

 

The first aid squad of the Bainbridge Civilian Protection were also on hand awaiting any emergency which might occur.  Dr. Edward Danforth had blood plasma brought from Sidney to be ready for any accident which might happen.

 

The people of Bainbridge are very grateful to the firemen of Sidney and Afton for their fine assistance.  Local firemen were on duty all night, and Wednesday morning they were still extinguishing the remaining embers.