New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-16
THE FIRE RECORD.

WJERSEY RUBBER WORKS BURNED.
| A GREAT COMMUNICATIONS AT NEw-BRUNswICK. N.
| J-THEEE HUNDRED OPERATIVES THROWN OUT
| OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES DWELLINGS FAM
| 'AGrD-LOss, S3J0,00O WITH INSURANCE OF
| $4,000.
The auiet city of New Brunswick, n. D., was
thrown into a state unusual excitement at an early
hour yesterday morning by the vigorous ringing OF all
the church and shop bells and the noise created by scores
Of steam-whstles which announced the beginning OF
what proved to be the most destructive fire tnat mas ever
taken place in that city TIC flames were hIst DIS
covered by Patrick Smith, Waterman employed
by the company, who willie making bis usual rOuhds,
perceived in the compound room can OF cement on
fro This was at 3lO a. m. Being unable, on account
of the hour obtain immediate assistance he atempea
TO throw the burning mass into the street. nut I'D do so
WAS badly the hands and forced TO drop e
cam the contents of which spread over the hoOF WIN
alarming rapdity communicating the flames to all com
bus,ile materials with which it came in contact The
Waterman ran 10 another part OF the factory ana
called Nicholas Weber who has charge OF the heaters,
and together they attached and turned on the
water The stream, however, small as to be OF no
service and appeared TO increase the spreading 81 the
burning liquids smith then rang the bell violently ana
afterward Informed the engineer, who put out the fires
under the steam boilers ana drew OH the ""'cl W nv
vent an explosion.
The ringing Of the factory bell though Of short dlra-
ton was 20 violent to attract general attention anu
IN few muu all OF the church and factory pells IN
the city spread the alarm. The first call was responded
to by Phenix Engine Company. whose house is IN Den
ust near the factory but work was delayed some hve
minute, in getting up steam, and further delay was
caused by au Intellectual attempt 20 draw water rom
street hydrant between the works and the engine mousse
Washington Engine next arrived, aud had ialry DeEuh
most effective service when the hose bdrst, aud an
other quarter Of an hour was lost
The factory had a front NeilsOn-st Of 30 feet ana
extended 25 feet to Dcnnst whore the front was 10
feet Midway between these two streets wing eX-
tended go feet IN a sUuthcry direction to RchmondSt
where il had front Of 10 feet. The chcmcalroom was
in TIE southern portion Of the building when fohcu on
Dcuns--t aud the compOund-roon, in which the IRE
originated aGlCued II the west From TINS room the
flames spread III every direction, and the accidents which
b.tl tIs engine companies caused loss Of time which
proved extremely disastrous.
by the time the engines were all put In w0rkhS ordef
tic heat was so great on Denniss that the crowd was
compelled to give way, but tac hrcnen, many OF whom
suffered severely stood their ground and for an hour
succeeded IL contnns the greater part OF tie lire to tnat
norton Of the building fronting OF D-nnsot About
hi, time however the wind changed and blew strongly
-on the northeast aud west, carrying with It numerous
nrcbands and SPARKS. and altering the course oi the
flames so that that the works Richmond ana Nelson
sts were hrc. The entire factory was COM
llrteIy surrounded 10y frame buildings and 1t became
evident that the ire reached these the greater portion
OF the city would be rendered liable to destruction
At 8:l5 d. NJ hour after the fire WIS discovered
large portion ~ roof fell IN, and the Names burst mp
ward some 30 feet The Fire Department, though
working Ecrocay, med unable to combat the haines'
and trl,,rms wcro 10 Newark, Elizabeth ana Ran
way for .sI.,aucc All occupants % residences in the
immediate vicinity began t. their effects 10 the
streets. The Iircmen rcdoubled their exeftOhS,
and with such effect that an hour ana
half aitrrward they gained complete control Of
the flames which had been mainly confined TO the iac'
tory and il deemed safe TO councrmand the re-
! quests for assistance from other cities.
The frcmrn made repeated efforts to get into tie
chemical ROOM in order 10 remove the explosive mate
rails stored there. but failed on account Of the intense
heat, and, though every cNertoD was made u prevent
the flames reaching this room, the EFFORT was Win
out succe - and the fire penetrated Through doors and
windows and was followed m instant aftcrward bya
terrific explosion The effect which to cause Large
quantity II burning liquid 10 flow down the street.
In mistaken yhor to check the new form Of the cona
grafton stream NJ water was turned on the burning
fluids but this only caused the flames to spread moro
RAPIDLY ns these HGids Hoatcd the water and were
carried down the street number Of boards were pre-
cured and the water damned up so that flowed back
ard the flames were ext!ugushcd 1t then decided
tsat all danger past and the fire engines were WITH
drawn with the exception Of Nos. and 3, which were
detailed to play on the ruins.
Tne factory buildings, which were two stories high,
and covered nearly whole of large block are totally
destroyed, and the loss Is estimated at 100000 to
$3.50 600 on buildings stock. and machinery The insnr-
apcc Is in The NtyYork Home Insurance Company for
$4,000
The unfortunate occurrence will deprive 300 opera
tiycs OF employment Tor some time to come. and the loss
of the -, 900 winch di5Bursed weekly among the
employees will be- severely felt by The trainsrcoplr, who
will now be obliged. large extent; 70 give their
customers credit for months 10 come in order TO prevent
starvation among them.
The dweilinghouscs, Nos. .. II. and l6 D'nnis-st,
Nos % and y RchmOnd-st.. and No. l39 Nelsonst
were somewhat damaged by the fire. but thc occupants
" ho had moved their furniture, suffered hgty ana
rcoccupled their dwellings 10y daylgnt. The heaviest
Loser was LOUIS Dcnzcr Of No. l39 NcsOu-st, who's
house and furniture damaged 500; insured Tor
fn amount Il has yet Dcca decided by the officers
of The Ctmpiny tier the works VIII De rebuilt or Lo
The Company which organized In 1870, bad a caH-
r.y stock of .2,ODOOU TIE oil are L. l.. Hyatt
President: Christopher Meyer, Treasurer and j. H. Ford