Bridgeton pioneer., 1898-06-30
MILLVILLE'S DANGER.
sent to BridgetOn for Help, and 1t Wa
Ready to Start When the Appeal
Was sCOuutermanded,

Was Countermanded.
For long time there has not been such
excitement upon the streets as last Satur-
day night, when it became generally
known that there was great fire raging
in Millville.
1t was after ten o'clock when the wires
flashed the appeal from Millvi!le.
Danger there was, that the entire town
might be flame swept. Appeal was made
for help and Bridgeton was prompt to
answer the call.
The news that came here was to the
effect that the Opera House block had
entirely burned down, and that the
flames were fast getting beyond control
of the fire department Then came the
news that the Millville water works were
| Inadequate, and an engine, hose and fire.
men were asked for.
The members of the Fire Committee of
City Council were prompt to act. Messrs.
Conner and Sellers were personally upon
the ground. They resolved to send to
Millville the Silsby engine, and about
eleven O'Clock the taps were turned in
which called the firemen to the engine
| house.
| There the Silsby was put in shape for
transportation, and more than thousand
feet of hose was gotten OUT Meanwhile
| the Fire Committee had ordered Super
| intendent Robinson, of the Traction
Company to take tie engine on flat car
to Millville. Contractor Israel Evan, the
| building mover, vas sent for and he
brought rigging and tackle to load the
engine on the platform car.
| The crowds were gathering on the
streets, and as the story of the conflagra-
ton went from lip 10 lip, it caused great
est excitement. People wanted to go
right away. The last car for the night
for Millville was ready to move. Word
was given that thecar would remain until
after the fire. Immediately seven or
eight specials were pressed into service,
and crowded wers sent to the city ten
miles away.
Superintendent Robinson had but one
flat car that was deemed proper to load
the heavy engine upon, and this had re-
Gently been enclosed. 1t took some little
time to get this car in shape, but as soon
as possible it was brought to the corner
of Washington and Laurel. There Con-
tractor Evan was busily engaged in ar
ranging its tackling, and in five minutes
more the engine would have been loaded.
Just at that time the Nillville authorities
sent word over that brtune had favored
the town, and the fire was under control,
and the engine would not be needed.
Several of the Bridgeton firemen had
been sent to Millville and they gave the
Department. there valuable assistance.
The Traction Company passed all fire
men.
AS the Bridgeton peope poured into
Millville, the already cpwded streets
were packed. For long While it was al
most impossible to move aound. Those
who were among the first b go saw most
of the fire, while all who went over ar
rived there before the f1am,s were entire
ly extinguished.
Treasurer Bacon, Superintendent Rob-
binson and Assistant Superintendent
Stetzer were upon the gr.und in Mill
vile, and arranged to GIT the people
home. and very good service was given.
Cars returned every littl, while until
nearly three o'clock Suntay morning.
1t is quite safe to say th.t the Traction
Company carried nearly five hundred
people to Millville, after eeven O'Clock.
Scores of bicyclists wenl over on their
wheels, and one or two parties drove
over.
In all the hustle and excitement, and
Notwithstanding the .reat crowds
handled there was not an sccident of any
kind and everybody seemsd to enjoy the
quickly planned trip.
tiny tongue of flame hardly larger
than mans hand, was observed by
passer by near the stage door of the
Academy OF Music sh.rtly before 10
O'Clock. The door was boken open, and
several men began battling with the fire,
hardly deeming it necessary to call out
the department. In Ia few moments, how
ever, the flames leapad irto the scenery,
and then almost instantaeously the en-
tire stage was roaring mass of flames.
Resolute Hose Company arrived with
IN seven minutes after the fire was dis
covered, but in that time the entire in
terror OF the building was mass
OF flames, which shot high in the air, and
by their heat drove the fremen to dis
tance. Soon other companies arrived,
but pouring water into the seething mass
was like putting it into live volcano.
The building was doomed.
The firemen devoted their energies to
saving surrounding property, but in this
they were only partially successful, owing
to a high wind that had sprung up.
Sparks flew in every direction, and
dwellings and stores within radius of
three squares, were in great danger, and
had 1t not been tor the brave work of the
volunteer firemen, these also would have
been rmong the ruins.
me Bridgeton firemen went over and
renewed the Millville fremen. Several
hremen were overcome by the heat and
injured by falling timbers and broken
Ill m ri