BLANEY FIRE GUTS SUPPLY COMPANY: A rapidly spreading blaze destroyed the interior of the Farmers supply Company, Inc., of Blaney last night razing a portion of the structure shown at the left center in the above picture. The fire also damaged the T. W. Bowen Gin, which is adjacent to the supply company on the right side, not visible int he above picture. (Staff photo by Roseberry.)

BLANEY, Sep. 20 – A fierce blaze, ignited by a pile of cotton waste, swept through the Farmers Supply Company, Inc., tonight, causing damages estimated at $21,000.

The rapidly spreading fire completely gutted the Farmers Supply Co., and seriously threatened the adjacent $100,000 A. T. Bowen Gin, where the fire originated.

A. T. Bowen, owner of the Gin and president of the Farmers Supply Co., since it was founded nine years ago, said the fire started in a pile of cotton in one of the gin’s macines.

Flames then went through the waste exhaust pipe of the gin, to the rear of the Supply Company, immediately engulfing that building, he said.

The gin itself was saved only through the valiant efforts of volunteer fire-fighters from Blaney, who kept a steady flow of water on the during outer tembers along the roof of the gin until the Camden Fire Department arrived, Bowen said.

Situated in the heart of Blaney, the Supply Company housed hardware and feed supplies, all of which were destroyed.

A cash register containing $150 was also destroyed, and a large, partially open safe could be seen among the debris within the building following the fire.

An undetermined amount of money had been in the safe prior to the fire, according to Mr. Bowen.

About $17,000 damage was done to the Supply Company, and $4,000 damage to the Gin, whose outer pipes were destroyed, along with several seed bins and some roof damage.

Several other adjacent building, all used as warehouses, were threatened during the blaze, which began at 5:45 p.m., and was still burning at 9 p.m.