New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-19
WHOLE TOWNS FIGHT FIRES.
THE VILLAGE OF wARETOwN WAS
NEARLY SURROUNDED.
SPECIAL TRAIN ON THE JERSEY CENTRAL CAR.
RIED HELP FROM TOMS RIVER AND MAN
CHEsTER-MANY FARMS RUINED AND

CHEsTER-MANY FARMS RUINED AND
FARM BUILDINGS DESTROYED.
The forest fires which have been burning in the
lower part of New-Jersey for the last two weeks
took on renewed force from the high winds yester-
day and did more damage within few hours than
they had accomplished during the rest Of the time
they had been burning. Near Egg Harbor City the
flames swept through farm lands and carried with
them everything that would burn Houses and
barns went up in smoke, and in many instances
everything the farmers possessed was lost.
The little village of Waretown. in Ocean County,
was surrounded by fire In the afternoon, and only
by the hardest kind OF work the part of its go
residents. and almost as many volunteers brought
20 it's relief from Manchester and Toms River. was
the village saved The inhabitants called out
to fight fire in one direction and while they were
work there. another fire swept toward the village
from the opposite side and entered the town be-
fore the people what was happening.
Egg Harbor City, May B-Ths section, which has
been the scene Of so many forest fires within the
last few years, the most destructive fire to-day
of any in its history Hous.s, barns and out-oulld-
ings in Galloway Township were destroyed. The
fire at time presented front of three miles.
1t burned over eight miles during the day. and is
still burning tonight. but the wind is not so high
and the flames are not so fierce.
The fire started this morning at the Camp farm,
where some men were burning brush. When the
wind began TO rise the WOrKfnen trIeu 10 pedl out
the flames but they did not succeed, and the FIRE
broke away In a few moments 1t had reached the
pines and then shot forward with terrible rapdity
toward the farm of William Fridhover There
patches of berry plots and grapevine yards crossed
the path of the flames. Usually these would have
stayed the fire. The green vines and plants did stay
the flames, but they worked in both directions
around the farm. The buildings escaped but once
past the clearing the two lines Of flames reunited
In the pines and swamps and at noon reached the
farm of John Menu. The farmer and his family.
with the live stock and what portable articles they
could carry. had hurried away an hour or so BEFORE
1t was we'll they did So for everything on the farra
destroyed. The wind was blowing a gale ana
carrying the sparks long distances.
Edward Mullers place was the next in the line
OF the flames The barn caught fire, but was saved
with difficulty. Mullers house bistered, as
We're those OF Frank c. Regonsborg and William
Fridhover The buildings OF Joseph shaurer Philip
Roesch James Carts Mrs. c. Baum and Joseph
Ramsey were saved. thanks to the clear1ngs about
them. Tonight the fire Is still burning AROUND
these places The heat OF the fire ruined the crops
past which they swept. Berry fruit and garden
truck farms were reduced to appearance OF pro-
longed drouth
While one wing Of the fire was carrying destruc-
ton as told above the other side was doing as badly
The farmhouse and buildings of William HOMES
were destroyed involving a loss of $4,000. The large
barn OF Christian Lawer. with horse and other
live stock went before the flames, causing loss
Of 5000 The barn and outbuldings Of Henry
Mlddletown were also destroyed by the fire, at a
less of $500. The fire. may not be gotten under
control for several days Large quantities OF TIM
ber standing and out were destroyed
This afternoon alarm called out volunteers 10
fight a fire in the pines east OF this city. The fire
DESTROYED the handsome farmhouse Of Mrs. Dit
man. There is another farm burning in the direc-
ton OF Elkwood, but nothing can be learned rom
that one. the roads are impossible owing TO neat
and smoke
Toms River \: J., May lS-Two forest fires SWEPT ,I
for hours threatened to wipe It out OF eXistenee.
Men. women and children turned out TO tight the
saved Tonight the Central Raroad OF Mew Vice.
those who had been fighting the flames 81 day.
a The fought The the sd H
House a summer hotel and sportsmen,s gathering
place, kept by Charles Martin was totally destroyed
The fire started near Wells Mills, six miles from
famed BY the wind It spread gu, fan-shaped until;
when reached the outskirts Of the Village 1t ha oi
far from the centre The second fire started TO the
south OF the village It is supposed the dry grass 6
the Central railroad. When the fire from the west
approached the village its DANCE at once S9 sba
was big enough was able TO go, hurried our a
beat IT back While the Inhabitants were swept
up and entered the outskirts OF the village pelore
rs existence VAS even Known 10 ~, outside Of the
~
village and in flames when the aasdn sion %.
the line and every one made for the village 10 pro
tect as well they might their own homes Inc
hotel and it's contents were soon destroycn. ~,
Help was telegraphed for 10 Toms River ain NAL
chester The Central Railroad at once mae up "a d
snecisi train and a party of volunteers started ior
The Village At Toms River more volunteers WEI a
,aken on With the aid OF these the niie wa
fought back The air was black with smoke mo an
Inc hea, was go great that IL was almost inpossoie
70 hear f. AS the men fought the flames II was
frequently necessary for them to Jump n emo wero
brooks 10 keep from burning. Many men we''
CAUGHT behind the flames and had narrow ESCAPES:
The John Creby's store; j. ~ ~.
Jones's store the Red Mems hall, the Md hm,
Church the Presbyterian Church ana ABOUT
49, ns res,dences scattered over frontage OF
three miles were in danger for hours. All were
Threatened at once. and the fires were DuInns ~,
three sides Of the village. In many Gases me cor. e
burned 10 within few yards of the buildlngs peloiS
,hev were extnguished The Tuckerton Raiiroad
bridge over oyster Creek was desroyed ana sre
structure The Central Railroad TINS eVeiIs ser "a
force Of to relieve the hre-iigheIs anu ~
the town during the night as IL is leafeu tlat
shouIS the wind rise the fire would take new
start.