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Watchman found Mosier station in flames

This week in history

130 years ago, 1893

Transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

“The Sky Bright. With flames that consumed a building. Fire at Mosier Last Night. Before aid arrives structure burns to the ground — the origin a mystery.

“Mosier station, just west of Brier Hill was baptized with fire last evening. For a time it looked as if the whole place would be swept away by the angry flames, but fortunately this was not to be.

“About 6 o’clock Night Watchman Frack left the building occupied by offices and went into the round house to look after the boiler. He was gone but a few minutes and returned to the offices on an errand. He was just in time to see the fire break out of the building. Then a crash followed, the pent up gasses in the building having exploded, and the glass in the windows was shattered.

The watchman gave the alarm and the railroad boys turned out, but it was too large, the fire having gained too great headway. In a few minutes the entire building was wrapped in flames, and despite the efforts of the men who tried to prevent it, soon there was nothing left but a mass of glowing embers. It is said that there were a number of plugs at which to attach hose and also enough hose to have made an impression on the fire, but the one thing lacking was a sufficient number of nozzles. The chemical engine and ladder truck from this city responded to the call, but were unable to render assistance as the building was burned up.

“The building was a frame structure. It was a two story building and was owned by the Nypano [New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio] railroad company, although jointly occupied by the Nypano and P. & L. E. [Pittsburgh and Lake Erie] The Nypano used part of the building for yard offices, and it is said that they were nicely fitted up. They included the chief inspector’s office, the clerk’s office and telegraph offices. The P. & L. E. occupied a portion of the building for a bunk room in which the through freight crews slept. An oil room was also attached to the structure. The origin of the fire is a mystery. It is known, however, that the blaze started in the bunk room, and it is thought that a torch was the cause of it. The loss is about $3,500.

“The fire broke through the side of the building on the north side, fortunately for the rest of the plant. Had it appeared first on the south side against which the wind was blowing very strongly nothing could have saved the car repair shops, which stood just north of the burning building. The office stood in the center of a semicircle composed of round houses and the repair shops. The latter buildings escaped damage.”

Compiled by Chelsea Hess, Mahoning Valley Historical Society archives assistant.

Watchman found Mosier station in flames

130 years ago, 1893

Transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

“The Sky Bright. With flames that consumed a building. Fire at Mosier Last Night. Before aid arrives structure burns to the ground — the origin a mystery.

“Mosier station, just west of Brier Hill was baptized with fire last evening. For a time it looked as if the whole place would be swept away by the angry flames, but fortunately this was not to be.

“About 6 o’clock Night Watchman Frack left the building occupied by offices and went into the round house to look after the boiler. He was gone but a few minutes and returned to the offices on an errand. He was just in time to see the fire break out of the building. Then a crash followed, the pent up gasses in the building having exploded, and the glass in the windows was shattered.

The watchman gave the alarm and the railroad boys turned out, but it was too large, the fire having gained too great headway. In a few minutes the entire building was wrapped in flames, and despite the efforts of the men who tried to prevent it, soon there was nothing left but a mass of glowing embers. It is said that there were a number of plugs at which to attach hose and also enough hose to have made an impression on the fire, but the one thing lacking was a sufficient number of nozzles. The chemical engine and ladder truck from this city responded to the call, but were unable to render assistance as the building was burned up.

“The building was a frame structure. It was a two story building and was owned by the Nypano [New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio] railroad company, although jointly occupied by the Nypano and P. & L. E. [Pittsburgh and Lake Erie] The Nypano used part of the building for yard offices, and it is said that they were nicely fitted up. They included the chief inspector’s office, the clerk’s office and telegraph offices. The P. & L. E. occupied a portion of the building for a bunk room in which the through freight crews slept. An oil room was also attached to the structure. The origin of the fire is a mystery. It is known, however, that the blaze started in the bunk room, and it is thought that a torch was the cause of it. The loss is about $3,500.

“The fire broke through the side of the building on the north side, fortunately for the rest of the plant. Had it appeared first on the south side against which the wind was blowing very strongly nothing could have saved the car repair shops, which stood just north of the burning building. The office stood in the center of a semicircle composed of round houses and the repair shops. The latter buildings escaped damage.”

Compiled by Chelsea Hess, Mahoning Valley Historical Society archives assistant.

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