Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-02-12
NsW BRUNsWIoK,s WORST ElEr.


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Tanks Expiode-AKany Buildings
Burned-A Brakeman Roasted.
New BRUNSWICK, N. j., Feb. 7.-Shortly
before O'Clock this morning an extra freight
train from Philadelphia, owing To Q broken
Raritan for repairs. While waiting, the
through southern freight, which left Phila,
delphia at 1880 p. m came dashing along
through the city, and not until he WAS within
500 feet of the oaboose Of the extra train did
the engineer see it. Brakes we've whistled for
and applied, but to no purpose. The engine
Of the southern freight struck the oaboose
Of the extra train, telescoped it and then
struck an oil tank car, four such cars being
attached to the extra. An explosion immedi-
ately followed, and the wrecked cars and
burning OIL were thrown over and down
from the high bridge 10 the streets below.
The ignited oil ran through the streets into
the Raritan canal. This being covered with
ice, the oil ran over ii and down the canal to
the wall papering manufacturing establish
ment Of Janeway Il Co, setting fire to it.
The flames were soon beyond the control OF
the fireman and the building was totally
destroyed and seven dwellings opposite were
Quilted.
In the immediate vicinity we're the estab-
lishments Of the New Jersey lamp and bronze
works. the city gas works and Garrettson y
Brownies machine shops These were not
harmed owing to the favorable direction OF
| the wind.
In the meantime building used as box
| factory by the Consolidated Fruit Jar Co.,
| situated directly under the bridge had been
| set on fire by the burning oil This building
| was entirely consumed. The flames then
| spread to the mandatory OF the CONSOLE
| dated Fruit Jar Company. Here the firemen
battled brayely, and although they
could not save this building, they
prevented the fire from spreading to
the buildings of the Norfolk d Brunswick
Hosiery Company, the largest manufacturing
establishment in the city, whose walls were
Immediately adjoining. By O'Clock the
local firemen had the fire under control and
were thankful to receive the relief that came
from Trenton in IL shape Of two fire engines
and hose carts.
Meanwhile the wood work of the railroad
bridge had been slowly burning. What the
extent Of the damage to this structure will
be, can only be determined by experts.
Engineer French and Fireman Harrison OF
the southern freight jumped from their
engine when they saw a collision was ineyita-
BILE and escaped with few bruises. The
brakeman on the front end OF the train,
Frank Dumas OF Kensington, Philadelphia,
failed to jump and was carried down in the
wreckage to the street, where he was roasted
mass Of flesh, unacceptable except by an
amulet worn around his neck.
Patrick Dougherty, Jr., a young mechanic,
foolishly entered the burning building Of
Janeway 4 Co. in search of his tools and has
| not been seen siuce It is feared that he is a
| victim Of the most terrible visitation by fire
this city has ever had,
Railroad officials from New York imme
diately came TO the city, and are superintend
| ing the work of transferring passengers, dc
| Geographic communication with New Yort
for awhile was interrupted. But for The
favorable wind, the whole manufacturing
part of the city would have been destroyed
This portion is all clustered at the foot Of thu
hill along the Raritan on the other side Of tn
long bridge which is crossed in coming from
New York.
At no point on the whole Pennsylvania
railroad could tho accident have occurred a
so disastrous place. The burning oil an
cars were literally poured over and fun
upon the roofs Of the manufacturer
establishments. Only the battered loco
motive and an unexploded oil tank stan
upon the track at present.
The loss will not be less than $750,00O.