From the Richmond Times, 10/19/1894, p. 2, c. 2

THE TREDEGAR FIRE.
Loss is Estimated at $150,000 – How the Insurance was Placed.

The loss on the property of the Tredegar Iron Works, which were partially destroyed by fire at an early hour yesterday morning, an account of which was published in yesterday’s Times, is estimated at $150,000. The insurance on the property aggregates $218,000, and was placed through Messrs. Montague & Co. as follows:

London and Liverpool and Globe          $66,000
Queen                                                           18,000
Georgia Home                                            18,000
Norwich Union                                            15,000
Royal                                                             11,000
London Assurance                                       7,500
Commercial Union                                     12,500
National, of Baltimore                                   6,000
Scottish Union and National                       6,000
Virginia Fire and Marine                               5,500
Hamburg-Bremen                                         5,000
Virginia State                                                   6,000
Sun Insurance Office                                     4,000
Westchester                                                    4,000
Hartford                                                            5,000
Phoenix, of Brooklyn                                      5,000
Underwriters                                                   5,000
Lancashire                                                      5,000
National, of Hartford                                      5,000
Continental                                                     5,000
German-American                                        4,500
Insurance Co. of North America                 4,500
Phoenix, of London                                       3,000
Delaware                                                        3,000
Glen’s Falls                                                    3,000
British-America                                              3,000
Caledonian                                                    3,000
Aetna                                                               3,000
Fire Association                                            2,500
Lion                                                                 4,000
Total                                                          $248,000

The insurance people estimate that only about 35 per cent. of the total amount is involved by the losses by the fire.

The following list of property destroyed was furnished by the company yesterday:

Car shops, blacksmith shops, paint shed, horse-shoe factory, locomotive house, scale house, which was the 60,000 pound scales, and a bolt shop, in which was also stored a number of valuable patterns. Of course, the contents of these buildings were totally destroyed. Only the walls of most of them are standing, and several of the gutted buildings are deemed in a dangerous condition and liable to collapse at any time.

A locomotive engine, which had been sold to the United States Government, to be used in the work of improving the James river, was damaged beyond all use. Twenty box and flat cars were burned. Seven of these were the property of the Richmond and Danville railroad, two belonged to the Atlantic Coast Line, and the balance were owned by the Chesapeake and Ohio. Five more were damaged, but can be repaired. Twenty cars, built for use on sugar-cane plantations in Cuba, were in the car shops ready for shipment. They were all consumed. The foundry and the machine ship were only slightly damaged.

Colonel Archer Anderson, president of the Tredegar Company, made the following statement for publication yesterday:

“Horse-shoe factory, car shops and blacksmith shops destroyed. Loss nearly covered by insurance. Rest of works, including all rolling-mills and spike factory, in full operation, Mr. F. T. Glasgow, superintendent of the foundry and car shop, stated that the loss would hardly reach $150,000, though it would be nearly that amount.

The foundry and machine shop will be repaired immediately. The company have not yet determined on plans as to rebuilding.

Three of the flame-fighters received injuries during the progress of the fire.

Lieutenant Merrydew, of Engine No. 4, was struck on the shoulder by bricks which fell from a wall, and, although painfully hurt, continued at work.

John Walters, hoseman of Engine No. 7, received a gash in the head from a piece of falling slate. His wound being dressed, he resumed his position in the line, despite the protestations of the Chief.

David O’Brien, engineer of No. 3, was down in a hole adjusting the suction pipe when, in the confusion, a brother fireman fell through from above. The weight of his body striking the engineer fairly upon the back, sprained it. The engineer, although given leave to stop work, remained at his post.

The following letter was received yesterday by Chief W. G. Puller, o the Fire Department:

Dear Sir, - Recognizing the efficient service of your force in circumscribing the limits of the fire at our works last night we enclose our check for $200, to be appropriated to any fund in existence for the benefit of officers and men belonging to the Fire Department of this city.

                                                                                        Very respectfully,
                                                                                        THE TREDEGAR COMPANY.
                                                                                        Archer Anderson, President.

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