New-York tribune., 1903-05-19
SCALDED BY HOT SOAP.
M4NY FIREMEN INJURED.
One Goes to Hospital, Escapes and
T7cice Returns to Dutg.

an what Deputy Chief Cruger called "one OF
.he hottest fires 1 have ever known " several
firemen were overcome by smoke. and sus
tanned injuries of kind another at the
business building No. , Worth-st. The fire
broke out about 10 O'Clock last night 1t was
first discovered by Henry NOege, of No. 1IS
West Broadway. who ran to the Leonard-st,
police station. Roundsman Higgins sending in
an alarm.
The building is five stories high The hrst
aoor is occupied by Proctor & Gamble. soap
manufacturers as is also the fifth floor. used as
2 storeroon. on the second floor are Volkmann.
stoIlwerck & Co. manufacturers of chocolate,
and the third and fourth floors are occupied by
the Automatic Vending Company makers OF
7enny-in- the-slot machines.
Teputy- Chief Cruger. seeing the dangerous
nature Of the blaze. sent in second alarm
which brought Acting Chief Purroy- The first
oomnany 10 respond was No %. with head
quarters at Franklin and Hudson sts. These
-ra- were under the command of Captain
r,oouan and every one of them was hurt;
0,Keefe. Mandry. Coady Bremen. huss John
sullivan Patrick Sullivan, Shea Gavin and a pro-
1,s+ionarv firemen, Ferguson. Six Of these men
seized = line of hose and rushed il into the burn
INC building to the third floor rear, where the
blaze had broken out
The other men got another line and ran II
on the fire when the flames turned and almost
overwhelmed them. Some Of them went down
and were unconscious for some moments, over
come by the terrible heat and sitting smoke
Then they were dragged out by their comrades
or staggered out themselves Meanwhile other
companies had arrived and were pouring tons
n water on the fifth floor where the soap was
stored. The mixture % water and soap formed
. thick and slippery lather, which made foot
hold uncertain
Lines were also run through H. B. Clafin
& cos warehouse and played on the exterior
walls The wooden trimmings to the building
were Of pine. and they burned so hercely that
the water boiled as it was poured on the resin
Gus stuff This added another to the dangers
and difficulties Of the fremen, the boiling water
dripping down scalding many of them
William O'Keefe Of Engine No. 27, was over
come by smoke. scalded and cut, and went to
the Hudson Street Hospital where he had MS
injuries dressed. When he found himself unob-
served. he slipped out and returned 10 the IRE
4 second time he was overcome, and again sent
80 The hospital and again he escaped and went
hack TO his duty On this occasion he was sent
downstairs in the basement of the building 10
,rok after a sewer connection. While so occu-
T5ad The lamp he was carrying went out ana
he was once more overcome hy the siilCAe'
Then the hospital received him again, ana
watch was placed over him
other men injured were: Adam o'Cohhoi' -
Engine No Is. whose right foot was cut oS
glass. sent home; Thomas Gavin OF hhsiie ~
-. cut over the right eye by a laiiiiis O0ol1 ~
- 1,,,.,,e- Deputy Chief CFuger, who Vas
s14-h,ir scsIded. refused TO receive medical at
+.n6ance and continued on duty. and Captain
Doonan and Frederick Bellosa, of Engine NO o.
were also scalded- Bellosa was also overcome
b. ey7,oEa and cut in the right side
- cot 75r75ar control. 1t had spread TO the
faTI--f and fifth floors of the building, ana eaten
7s-,- - kcfing Chief Purroys was about
s. 600 or $1,000.