Richmond planet., 1900-03-03
MILLION DOLLAR BLAZE
With Possible Loss of Life in the
Metropolis of New Jersey.
FIRBMBN FIGHT ZOE AND FLAME

Thrilling Rescue of the Superintend-
ont of n Department store Where
the Fire OrIginatcd-TaISen From a
Ladder With His Clothing on Fire.
Newark, N. j., Feb. 2S.-The greatest
fire this city ever experienced swept
through the retail dry goods district
last night, destroying a score or more
buildings. The loss is estimated at
over $1.0O0,00O. Several lives may
have been lost and several persons were
badly burned. The fire started in w.
V. Snyder's department store. at Broad
nd Cedar streets. The stock in this
store was valued at $500, 900, and moth
ing was saved. The building was burn
ed to the ground.
The fire broke out about $40 D. M,
after the several hundred employees had
left the building, which was then taken
charge OF by number of sweepers. 1t
is thought that some OF the engine
room force and similar employees may
have also been in the building. The
flames spread with terrible rapidity,
the entire building being enveloped be-
re the arrival of the firemen. Only
one man was seen, and he was at a
window on the second floor in a frenzy
of fear. The firemen raised a ladder,
but before they could scale ii the man
swung himself through the broken
window and onto the ladder. AS he
reached the ladder a rush of flame
came through the window, engulfing
him. 1t receded in a moment, and
the man was seen on the ladder wrap
ped in fire as his clothing burned. A
fireman ran up the ladder on the under
side and grabbed him to prevent him
falling. Then others went upon the
upper side and began tearing the burn
ing clothing from the man. They did
this with their naked hands, and were
themselves burned. Thousands of
people witnessed the thrilling scene.
The burning clothing was torn from
the man, and with it came portions of
the flesh.
The man rescued from the building
proved to be Oscar o. Schaekleton, 60
years of age. He was superintendent
OF the store and was making his usual
round of inspection after the employees
had left when caught by the fire. He
rs at St Michael's hospital and is badly
burned.
All the police in the city were on
duty at the fire except those absolutely
needed on post. A hundred thousand
persons gathered around the fire and
made the task of the police a difficult
one. The crowd had to be forced back
again and again as the advance of the
flames caused the flremen to shift DO
sition back. Despite the great heat
and the rain OF sparks upon the crowd
1t insisted on pushing forward and get
ting as near the scene of fire as the
police would allow.
Finally orders were given to extend
the fire lines beyond the two blocks on
either side, and the crowd was push
ed back and lines were stretched across
the street. Women tainted in the fear
fui crush. Blows were exchanged and
clothing torn from backs in the crush.
The heat close to the fire was fear
ful, and the firemea were driven back
time and again. They had to move
their apparatus many times. Several
times men handling hose had to
abandon it and fee from the flames.
which threatened to engulf them. They
were coated with ice when they went
few feet away from the fire, and the
next moment would be almost roasted
by the heat as the fire advanced or
they returned to their battle.
-Four fremen were buried under a
wall at the rear Of Snyder's that fell
with terrific crash. Captain Walter
Harrison and Fireman Thomas Brown
were taken out unconscious, and NAV
be fatally injured. The other two fire.
men were severely injured. There are
several persons unaccounted for, and It
IS not known whether they escaped or
were burned to death.