The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-03-02
BLAZE ON THE HEIGHTS.
Four Families Homeless-Heavy
Loss On West Newark
Avenue.

A destructive fire early this morning
on West Newark avenue rendered home
less four families, and caused consider
able loss to several others. The origin
is not positively known. Some say that
large pile of papers in one of the three
burned houses caught fire, while others
say that lamp was overturned.
The three houses are Nos. 712. TIA and
TIC West Newark avenue. 716 being Oh
the corner of Ferris street. The fire
originated in No ia, and it is thought
that pile of old papers on the floor back
of the stairway which separates this from
No. ZIG was ignited in some manner. No.
TIA is vacant on the ground floor. and
preparations were being made for its oc-
cupancy as a music store in a
short time. The floors above were
occupied by Timothy Enr.ght, his
wife. and three sous on the second
floor. and Thomas Flynn, his wife, and
one son, on the third. Enright owned the
saloon as No. TIC, and Flynn was in his
employ. In No. ZIG, were Mr.. and Mrs.
William O'Donald and three children on
the second floor, and Robert johnson on
the third. The main damage was to Nos.
TIA and TIC. although The apartments of
No, 712, occupied by Fred Buch and wife,
were burned considerably. Buch owns a
fancy fancy goods store underneath his
rooms.
The most probable version Of the origin
of the fire is told by Thomas Flynn. He
said:-
81 was tending in the saloon during the
evening, as MI Euright was away. 1t
was about quarter altar twelve when
l went upstairs for my supper. My wife
came down and said she thought she
heard cracking noise at No. ia said
that it was only rats, probably, and
she went upstairs again. In short
time smelIed burning paper and wood
aud, opening the door leading to he back
doorway, was blinded by the smoke.
rushed up stairs and shouted to the fami
lies to got up, or they would be burned
out. Then / ran and got my child and
told my wife to hurry down. When we
rushed down, the stairs were alba re.
Then l ran 10 Box 51sat Five Corners,
and gave the alarm.
a"When / returned, the saloon was
ablaze, as was also the empty store ncxt
door. The firemen responded 10 short
time, and set to work getting the occu-
pants out. I worked to save the stores.
and don't know any more about it.
Officers Mcclure, Monprod, Mitchell
and Richards, of the Third Precinct.
plished good work in helping the
families out. They forced open doors
and climed upon the roofs adjoining so as
to effect entrances. All the families sue
ceeded in getting out without injuries.
Neighb bors offered shelter from the Bit
ing cold and clothes were provided for
the unfortunate people.
The engines which responded were Nos.
z. and 12 aud truck g.
Nos. -7l4 and TIC are owned by Mrs.
Anna D. Rowe of New York, aud the loss
on the two buildings is estimated Mt
$1,000, with no insurance. Enright's
damages are 81 800, no insurance: Flynn's,
s4OO, no insurance; Donald's, $500, no in
surance; Buch's, 81 200, insured on pro-
perty, and $500 insured on store.
The houses Nos. TIC and TIA West New
ark avenue are in litigation, before Chan
cellor McGill.ss ssMichael Curley got a judg
ment against Mrs. Rowe for $500 for re-
pairs to these and other houses adjoining
them, owned by her. The proceed
Ings were begun before the late Justice
Aldridge. It appeared that Mrs. Rowe
gave a mortgage to one Mrs. Bridget
Dunning of New York for $2l 900 against
the houses, which is about all they are
worth. Mrs. Rowe recently made a mo-
tion. through her counsel, ex-Jndge
Hoffman of Monmouth county before the
Chancellor for raopening of the case on
the ground that the Judgment was sur
piise to her, and that the assignments of
the mortgage, which the plaintiff alleged
was fraudulent, was proper and for a
consideration. The Chancellor referred
the case to ex-Judge William P. Doug
lass, to take testimony relative to the re-
opening.