Newspaper Tidbits: Fire!

Baltimore American (Md.)
7 September 1905

FIRE NEAR MANASSAS

Bordon Bros. & Co.'s Stave Factory Destroyed.

[Special to the American.]

Manassas, Va., September 6 -- Bordon Bros. & Co.'s stave factory, near Manassas, was destroyed by fire at 11 o'clock this morning. The fire originated from a spark from the engine, and when first discovered the blaze was no larger than a man's hat. Before the workmen could reach the blaze it caught to a pile of shavings, and within a few minutes was beyond all control.

The factory started business less than a year ago, and gave employment to 12 men and several boys. It has been doing a profitable business and will no doubt be rebuilt. The loss is estimated at from $3,000 to $4,000.

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
10 October 1874

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY [From the Manassas Gazette] -- While Mrs. M. N. Lynn, of Independent Hill, was filling a lamp from a quart bottle of coal oil on Tuesday of last week, the oil took fire from a lighted candle which stood near by, enveloping the lamp and bottle both in flames, which would have proved a serious accident, had it not been for the presence of mind of Mrs. Lynn, who quickly threw the bottle out of doors, her husband throwing the burning lamp out, not, however, until he tried in vain to extinguish the flames with water. Mrs. Lynn's clothes were set on fire and she was slightly burned about the hands, and a little girl was quite severely burned by coming in contact with the flames as Mr. Lynn was throwing the lamp out of doors.

Richmond Whig (Va.)
27 February 1874

FIRE AT DUMFRIES.--[By Telegraph to the WHIG.] -- Quantico, Prince William county, February 25, 1874. -- A destructdive fire occurred in Dumfries, Monday night, in which the store occupied by Mr. C. W. Cockerell and the dwellings of Mrs. Keys and Mr. Garrison were destroyed.  The fire was caused by the explosion of a kerosene oil lamp, which was being filled with oil while burning.

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
18 November 1856

On Tuesday night last, the grist mill, belonging to Alex. Finnell, Sr., esq., in Prince William county, took fire, it is supposed, from the stove pipe, and burnt down. Loss about $600. No insurance.