The old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Company plant were destroyed by fire shortly after noon on Tuesday, January 7,1936. Flames and thick black smoke engulfed the warehouse building and dock while firemen and equipment on land fought to quell the fire. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs were also called into action and together, they managed to contain the fire to stop it from spreading to other nearby warehouses and docks. It was reported that a wood dust explosion caused the $260,000 fire. The Waterside Milling Co. specialized in the manufacture of wood flour, which was a finely powdered form of wood. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1-article; T.Times 1-8-36, p. 1+-article; TDL 1-8-36, p. 1-article & various photographs; 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smoke--Tacoma; Waterside Milling Co. (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On January 7, 1936, the City Fireboat and four Foss tugs were called in to fight the blaze at the old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Co. A passenger steamer, reported to be the Virginia V, was tied up at the adjacent Tacoma Municipal Dock. The Milling Co.'s wheat warehouse was gutted due to a spontaneous dust explosion. Flames shot 150 feet into the air and caused damages totaling $260,000. The fireboat and tugs kept the blaze under control with powerful streams of water, but the damage was too extensive and the structure could not be saved. (T. Times, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95, T.Times 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1) For additional images of this event, see series D638 images 1,4,8 & 9.

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Old London Dock destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. City fireboat and Foss tugs dousing flames at waterfront Waterside Milling Co. warehouse. Thick plumes of smoke drift into the Bay as the Tacoma Fire Department tries to staunch the enormous blaze. Wood dust exploded in the Waterside wheat warehouse causing the building and dock to be gutted; damages were set at $260,000. Thousands of residents lined the 11th St. Bridge and surrounding hillsides to watch the spectacular sight. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The Old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Co. on Tacoma's waterfront were destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs are shown fighting the enormous blaze which had earlier threatened the Municipal Dock, Western States grocery and Younglove grocery warehouse. The 2000 foot Waterside Milling Co. warehouse was divided into long sections separated by brick fire walls. The fire walls on the south end of the London Dock helped to stop the blaze from spreading in that direction. There were no reported fatalities among the sixteen workers on the dock at the time of the fire, although one man suffered burns. Total damages, according to the Tacoma Daily Ledger, were set at $260,000. The ruins of the Tacoma Hotel and the city skyline loom in the background. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Old London Dock destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936, as the Waterside Milling Co. wheat warehouse is engulfed by flames. The 2000 foot structure was divided into long sections separated by brick fire walls. It is believed that wood dust exploded causing the fire; fortunately, there were no fatalities listed. Damages were set at $260,000. The city fireboat, led by Chief Emory Whitaker, and four Foss tugs succeeded in successfully containing the blaze. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;