[Photograph 2012.201.OVZ001.1280]

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "A tail section an melted fuselage jut out from twisted beams in this burned assembly plant of the Aero Design and Engineering Company. A spectacular blaze of undetermined origin destroyed the main assembly plant of the Aero Design and Engineering company ar NW 50 and West, on the outskirts of Bethany, early Sunday. Damage to the building, airplanes and equipment was estimated at between $1 million and $1 1/2 million. the building which was located at Tulakes airport was owned by the city and leased to the Aero Design firm. There were no injuries reported although it took 10 companies of Bethany and Oklahoma City firemen an hour and 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control. The first alarm was sounded shortly after 5 a.m. R. T. Amis jr., company president, said seven executive twin-engine type planes under production were destroyed as well as all manufacturing equipment...The first alarm was turned in shortly after 5 a.m. by employes of the Sky Service hanger, located a distance from the Aero Design and Engineering company assembly plant, according to Fire Chief J. F. Smith, of Bethany.......Chief G. R. McAlpine of the Oklahoma City fire department said an assistantchief Hayden Roach dispatched 10 companies to the scene. He said the Oklahoma City department turned in only one alarm...Chief McAlpine said Bethany and Oklahoma City firemen managed to "wet down" an area around the assembly plant and saved the office, smaller hangers and other buildings. The wetted area kept the blaze from spreading.