Fire Sweeps Mickle Street Coat Factory

Fire Sweeps Mickle Street Coat Factory 50 Workers Idled; Damage Placed At $40,000 Fire swept through a considerable portion of a woman's coat manufacturing plant at 210 Mickle street early today, causing damage estimated by the owner at between $40,000 and $50,000. About 50 women employes of the Progressive Garment Co., Inc. were thrown out of work as the result of the fire. The company is owned by Benjamin Schwartz, of Fifty-second street and Montgomery avenue, Philadelphia. Firemen were summoned at 4.57 a. m. when an automatic alarm was touched off by the heat. Three engine companies and one truck company had the fire under control in about one hour, but firemen remained at the scene until after 8 a. m. District Chief Howard Gick directed the fire-fighting. Heat Intense Gick said a portion of the front of the shop, which is on the second floor, was enveloped in flames when firemen arrived. He said the heat was so intense that a wire-glass skylight cover, which can resist temperatures up to 1600 degrees, had melted. Chief Engineer William Pfefferle, who visited the scene said the fire had "probably been caused" by a defective motor in a soft drink dispensing machine. Plant Insured Schwartz, who gave an estimate of the damage, said he was insured. He reported 150 bolts of uncut cloth, many finished coats, 3000 zippers and hundreds of buttons were either destroyed or damaged beyond use. He also said the fire seriously damaged a number of cutting and sewing machines. The first floor of the building is occupied by Nick Fiorentino's garage. The flames did not reach those premises.