The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-16
FIRE At Nay AUG PARK
Hard Battle to Subdue the Flames in
the Trees and Shrubbery.
CHEMICAL ENGINE MAS USED
With the Assistance That Policemen and
Men from the Street CommissiOncrs'
Department Gave the Fircmcu.
1t Was ExtinSuishcd.

Through most censurable careless
ness or downright vandalism. 1t Is not
known which. a fire was started in the
woods on the 1.ackawanna Iron ana
coal company's tract, near Nay Aug
park, yesterday, and it was after hours
of hard work by the police. firemen and
members of the street commissioners
gang that the flames We're subdued.
The fire was first discovered by Park
Policeman McManama shortly after
noon. and. with the assistance of few
others. who We're at hand, he attempted
to prevent the flames from spreading.
Owing to the unusually combustible
nature of the fallen leaves and shrub
berry, which, owing to the long, dry
spell. were like tinder. their efforts
were futile, and when the burning area
was broadened to alarming propor-
tions help was summoned from the
central city.
Police headquarters detailed PATROL
men MeinZer Dyer and Sloat to assist
in the fire fighting. and several men
from the street commissioners depart
ment went along to lend q hand. +. ..
Mctiowan, whose residence is dang
erously near the burning district. tele-
phoned for iiremen. The Phoenix COM
pany. with the chemical engine, which,
in that vicinity, would be the only one
of any use. hurried to the scene. and
the combined forces began systematic
onslaught on the flames.
Sys tcmaticnily Fighting the Fire.
Those who We're not manning the en-
Sine cut branches from the trees and,
by beating the burning leaves, succeed
ed in holding ii in check, when 1t
threatened to overreach on the park
plot, while the tiremen attacked the
shrubbery and gradually succeeded in
getting the flames under subsection.
About o'clock the danger point was
passed and all but the liremen were re-
lieNed from the battle. 1t was not
until 6.G5 that the chemical engine was
shut down, and only after four tanks
of the tire-Quellng fluid had been en-
hausted that the last vestige of the
blaze was eXtlngushed.
Many gaint trees, all the shrubbery
and the leaves. which Uttered the
ground. to the depth of several inches,
were consumed over an area of several
acres. Thanks to the preCaution and
hard work of the tiremen and the other
tire-tighters the flames We're prevented
from communicating to the park, which
adjoins the burned district.
on Saturday another blaze was start
ed in the park by three foolishly
thoushtless youths. Frank Shultz, John
Thornton and Charles Connor. The
blaze was discovered in time to pre-
vent it's spread by Park Superintendent
Phillips and Policeman McManama
who, after quenching it, marched the
three incendianies to the police station,
when Alderman Millar taught them a
lasting lesson at 81 a head.
1t was deemed necessary to patrol the
burned district during the entire night,
as the least breeze was liable to fan
into a blaze the smouldering fires,
which. no doubt, lurked here and there,
even after the careful and thorough
efforts of the fire-fghters to subdue
every vestige of the fire of the after
noon.
Precautions In the Park.
Until the present drought is ended it
Is advised that no one shall throw
lighted cigar stubs or fire of any other
description In or about the park.
Should a conflagration there once get
beyond control there is no telling what
damage may result.