Fire at Brandt
Sept. 27 – Fire which did damage in the village of Brandt, started as fires in the forests surrounding the village, and those in turn were threatening this evening to destroy the town. The fire started in the Brandt Chemical company’s plant. It was started by an explosion of acids being mixed by an employee of the company. A bucket brigade was soon formed and the villagers did their best to subdue the flames. In spite of their efforts the entire plant of the chemical company, the large warehouse of the company, a nearby blacksmith shop and the residence of Samuel Paugh were consumed. The sheds of the Presbyterian church were on fire, but the villagers succeeded in extinguishing them so as to save the church. Flying sparks set fire to the nearby woods, and the flames spread rapidly there, so as to surround the town and threaten it with destruction. Several other explosions occurred as the flames of the chemical plant reached the stored acids, with the first explosion, Foreman William Watkins, was blown through a window and thrown for some distance.
Montrose Democrat 24 Sept. 1908
