Springfield, OH Champion Chemical Plant Fire, Feb 1902

Fire Destroys Huge Shops.

Springfield, Ohio, Feb. 10.-The most destructive fire in the history of Springfield was discovered in the Champion Chemical plant of the East Street shops today at 9 A.M. An hour and a half later twelve manufacturing plants were in total ruin. The latest estimated loss is $500,000.

The fire was started by the explosion of some chemicals in the Champion Chemical plant, situated in the southwest corner of the shops, and the flames at first were confined to the fourth floor of the building. A strong westerly wind was blowing, and with amazing rapidity the fire ate its way along the buildings, which were all under one roof. The buildings extended 800 feet along East Street, and 1,200 feet along the railroad.

The fire companies were greatly handicapped by the light pressure of water. The city has only two engines, depending upon stand pipes to give the necessary power. The firemen could not get streams strong enough to break the window panes on the second floor. Every building was destroyed, and nothing but the walls are left standing. Ten firemen were caught in the office of the Krell French Company, and to escape they had to jump from a window.

A company of the National Guards is now on duty to keep away the crowds and marauders. Four freight cars of the Detroit and Southern Railway were totally destroyed and many others ruined. As fast as the materials could be brought from the buildings they were placed in the railroad cars and hauled away.

Among the heaviest losers are the Owen Machine Tool Company, Champion Chemical Company, Springfield Foundry Company, Progress Stove and Furnace Company, Indianapolis Frog and Switch Company, Miller Gas Engine Company, Green Manufacturing Company, and Krell French Piano Company.

The shops were built in 1882 by William Whitely for the manufacture of harvesting machinery, at a cost of $750,000. At that time the shops were the largest under one roof in the world, and they had only one rival in later years, the Krupp Gun Works in Germany.

The equipment of the plants cost about $2,000,000, but after the failure of Mr. Whitely a few years later the shops were left idle for nearly ten years, when they were sold at a receiver’s sale, and Senator Fairbanks and several other Capitalists bought them for $200,000.

In the last few years, through the efforts of the Board of Trade of Springfield and the Commercial Club, fifteen concerns were placed in the old shops and the machinery, material, and unfinished product of all these are a total loss. The insurance is approximately $300,000.

The New York Times, New York, NY 11 Feb 1902
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Transcribed by June. Thanks June!