The Jersey City news., 1892-01-13
BURNED IN His home.
A Small Fire, But 1t Cost a
Man His Life.
ANDREW B. CHURCH's FATE.
Herioc Efforts For His Rescue
A Faithful Domestic-Miss
Garthwaith's Story.
B. CHURCH's FATE.

A fire at half past five o'clock yester-
day afternoon in the two-story frame
building. No. 1873 Harrison avenue,
caused the death by suffocation aud
burning of MIR. Andrew B. Church
eighty-four years old, the occupant Of the
dwelling.
Policeman E. Jackson. of the Fourth
precinct, who lives in the residence ad-
Joining the burned house, while on his
way to the police station saw
smoke issuing from window on the
second floor. He pulled box No. IS,
at Communipaw and Monticello avenues.
Engines Nos. 8, 9, and 10 and No. 4 truck
RESPONDED. The halls were filled with
smoke, and the f1remen were bsffied in
their efforts to reach the room where the
fire ragged. Mrs. Church, who was in the
house at the time, was overcome by the
smoke, aud it was with difficulty that
Sarah Garthwaite, the domestic, succeed
ed in dragging her down stairs. Mrs.
Church was unconscious, and WAS taken
to the residence of Mr.. Rowbottom, where
she soon recovered.
In the meantime the fire had gained
much headway and the fremen. owing
to the lack of water, were unable to do
much towards checking it.
STARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT.
After the domestic had taken Mr..
Church to Mr.. Rowbottom's house she
rushed upon the street with the start
ling news that Mr.. Churcn was in the
burning building.
rushed up the stairs but the smoke was
too much for them and they were driven
back.
James Kenny, spectator, also at
tempted to enter the building after the
failure of the policeman. He tied wet
cloth over his mouth, but he, like the
policeman, was also driven back by the
smoke
By this time the firemeu had the flames
under control, and shortly after Battalion
Chief Hogan went into the oem where
the fire started and found the boay of Mr..
Church lying on the floor. The patrol
agon was summoned and the. body was
taken to Speer,s morgue. IL WAS burned
to crisp aud presented horrible sight.
MISS GARTHwAITE's STATEMENT.
The story of the origin of he fire is
best told in the words OF Miss GARTH
waite.
''Mr. Church," she said, STARTED fire
in the kitchen range when he arrived
home from business and few moments
later l smelt smoke and Mr.. Church
went upstairs to investigate. He discov-
cred SMOKE and flames in the front room
the second floor, directly over tie par
Tor. He shouted for water but l was
busy with Mrs. Church, who in-
sisted upon going upstairs to
help Mr.. Church. AS she had been suffer
ing from severe attack OF Illness l
thought it would be best to get her out
side. as was afraid the smoke would en-.
danger her life. AS she insisted upon
going upstairs it was with difficulty that
got her outdoors.
"Mr. Church had not called me in the
meantime, and thought that he, finding
the fire had gained headway. had gone
out and summoned the fire engiue. After
taking Mrs. Church next door immedi-
ately rushed out to find Mr.. Church, but
not seeing him came to the conclusion
that he was still in the house."
Mr.. Church was ship builder and had
been employed for the last twenty-six
years at Allison's dry dock.
The damage to the house is 81, 600, part
ly covered by insurance. A defective due
is supposed to have caused the fire.