Conflagration in Berlin

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 28, 17 August 1886, Page 3

Conflagration in Berlin

. — .* FORTY AOEES ON FIEE

A disastrous fire recently broke out in the south-east part of Berlin, in a large oil factory, spreading to two neighbouring woodyards where woed of the value of £50,000 was stored. So great a fire has not been known in Berlin within the memory of nan. The scene of the conflagration covers forty English acres of land, and the total damage is estimated at fully £150,000. The factory belonged to Otto and Buettner, manufacturers on a large scale, of machine oil, and work had been carried on in the factory day and night without interruption. It appeared that the corer of one of tho boilers was not tightly screwed down | so that the boiling oil found its way I out of it and flamed down its aidee into the furs ace. In a moment the whole building was in flames, and so great was the confusion that those present forget to alarm the fire brigade. Meanwhile, the premises of a noigh- ! bouring carrier were attacked. It was with difficulty that the seventy horses j were set free* while lOOcwt of hay was | burned. In tern minutes the whole of this establishment including a threestoreyed koiise inhabited by several families, was beyond the power of rescue a prey to the flames, and several appalling scones were here witnessed. The women completely lost their heads. One threw herself out of the window ; others rushed back into the flames; others were only with the greatest difficulty rescued. The conflagrations then spread into ths adjacent factories, and at about midnight the sight was indescribable — an enormous mass of flame, and the sky darkened by thick black clouds for many miles. Fortunately, ft thunderstorm came en at about 1 o'clock, and the wind changed, and toward morning the force of the fire became less violent, only to burst out afresh at 11 in the oil factory. Many poor people have lost everything. Scarcely a piece of furniture could be saved.

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