Bark Factory Destroyed by Afternoon Blaze
A fire at the Helms bark and berry basket factory in Seattle caused $5,000 in damages, leaving the owner without insurance.
The Helms bark and berry basket factory, located at the corner of 14th and River streets, was destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon between 1 and 2 o'clock. The fire had gained such headway before the fire department could respond to an alarm from Box 76 that it destroyed the dry kiln and one other building, which constituted the factory. Mr. Helms estimates the value of his plant at $5,000, and he has no insurance. Assistant Chief Clark, who was in charge of the firemen, said he was highly pleased with the work of his men in preventing the fire from spreading to other nearby buildings.
“Mr. Helms estimates the value of his plant at $5,000, and he has no insurance.”
The industrial landscape of 1890s Seattle was highly vulnerable to fire, particularly in wooden manufacturing plants. The loss of a $5,000 business without insurance was a common, devastating reality for small entrepreneurs in the city's early industrial districts.
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