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Blaze Believed to Have Started from an Electric Motor and To Have Been Spread Quickly Because of Dry Floors Around the Expensive Looms Which Make Tapestry—50 Out of Employment LARGE OLD PART OF THE MILL COMPLETELY RUINED Doylestown's second largest industry the Derk Manufacturing Company, was badly crippled today by a fire that caused damage estimated at $100,000. Seventy volunteer firemen from companies in Doylestown, Dublin and Chalfont, fought the flames for sever al hours, and prevented what might have been a disastrous property loss to the residential section adjacent to the factory which is located at the foot of Hamilton street. For the second time in a week the efficiency of the Doylestown Fire Company was demonstrated in no un certain manner. One-half of the structure, originally occupied by a ribbon mill, was entire ly destroyed by the flames. In this building were eighty looms used in the manufacture of silk damasks, por tieres, scarfs, table cover and cover ings for furniture and sofa pillows. Automatic fire doors, made of steel, closed off the new section of the fac tory and prevented a more serious loss although considerable damage result ed to stock in the new factory addition and to the factory offices. 50 Out Of Jobs The fire will in a provability mean the temporary closing down of the Derk plant. Approximately 50 peope have been employed at the plant recently, although under normal con ditions, over 100 were employed. Many Doylestown and Philadelphia business men and women, and a num ber of workers at the Derk plant, pur chased stock in the company when it moved its entire plant to Doylestown in 1927, Doylestown money made pos (Please Turn to Page 6)
Newspaper Details
Doylestown Daily Intelligencer
Doylestown, Pennsylvania, US
Wed, Mar 09, 1932
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Cynthia M.
USA 26 Jun 2026
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