New-York tribune., 1899-02-14
SCHOOL AND FACTORIES BURNED
TWO HOUSES ALSO DESTROYED WHILE
THE BLIZZARD RAGES-A FIRE CAUSES
ATOSS OF SOS ON IN JERSEY CITY.

The largest Are that has occurred in Jersey City
in several years broke ont yesterday morning about
8 O'Clock IN Public School 80. 20. IN Danforth-aye
between Ocean-ave. and Old Bergen Road. in the
Greenville section The school building and a large
annex which was only recently completed. were
entirely destroyed and the homes OF Frederick
Metheshemer at SO 124 Dsnforth- ave. and Of Mrs.
a Livingston AZ No. 40 Danforth-ave.: the brass
goods factory OF Ernest Gothberg. in Cator-ave..
IN the rear % the school. and the suspender fac
tory Of a Taintor. which stood opposite Gothberg :
factory We're also burned.
Several fremen. among them Battalion chief
John Hogan. were severely injured by the cold. and
it IS feared that or more lives viii be sacr-
feed
The fire started over the boiler in the engine
room. which was IN the basement OF the school
building The boiler has been source Of trouble for
seyerai years. The Board OF Education was appealed
to numerous occasions 70 provide more modern
heating apparatus on severely cold days the
school had to be closed owing TO the inability 10
heat It sufficiently for the comfort OF the teachers
and pupils Janitor Henry Kimmery discovered
the fire when he arrived at the school at about 6
o'clock yesterday morning. lie was unable 10
combat the flames all the water pipes were
frozen The janitcr then ran 70 Engine Company
No g. IN Linden-ave.. and gave the alarm While
the engine and tender struggling through the
huge banks Of reach the school at-
tempt being made to send in an alarm from
fire box 30 So. in Ocean and Danforth aves.
The box could not be opened and telephone mes
sage sent to Fire Headquarters and an alarm
was sounded from there.
Ky the time No. Is engine reached the school the
building was completely obscured by great clouds
OF smoke. The Aremen had to thaw out the FIRE
hydrants and by the time they had obtained water
a great sheet OF fame burst from the school. The
wind blowing a gale from the northwest. and
the flames carried dangerously close 10 several
dwellings In few minutes Mr.. Methesheimer' s
residence was ablaze. and three-story frame fiat
house at 80. 126 Danforth-ave caught hre IAe
J hremen however, soon saved Inc ldlltt. hr
tenants of the nathouse were terror-strlckcn, and
1 began TO remove their nouSehoId ttoGtt. ne
tenants in half dozen other houses IN lne nelEh-
borhood a.so moved out. and the greatest excite
! The dremen fought bravely but were unable "a
clcc!, the progress Of the flames in the school ana
they turned their attention to the other buildings
/ which were threatened. The su1eriugs Of the fire.
! men which We're intense were miugated by "a
/ number Of the citizens, who opened their houses
! IN fnem and served hot coffee. Just before u
/ the scene fell unconscious while giving the hre-
/ men Instructions. Ilo was carried - TIE home OF
/ County Republican Committee, opposite the school
/ and Dr. Joseph Finn attended the chief, VINO was
/ fireman attached 10 Engine Company no. 10 ana
! who lives AZ 40. l45 Danforth-ave. HIS condition
Cap,oin George Fick ana Charles Young hosemar
/ Of No Hook and Ladder Company. We're over
| 10 Nr Schultz's house Fireman Frederick BischOf
/ OF Engine Company No. l5 was prostrated and
At O'clock the east wall OF the school building
] fell with crash one hour later the hremen had
The loss on the school Is 5000; Insurance, go
/ o,l. on Mr. Mathesheimer's house. 5000; insurance
/ 5000; Mrs Lyingston's home Owned by Mis
/ torv so 900: Insurance $500. TalntOrs factory
| 5000 The total loss IS estimated at SiOsco