Bridgeton pioneer., 1903-10-01
FIRE CAUSES
GREAT DISASTER

fifty persons on Saturday were idle
who Friday were busily EMPLOYED
in the big candy factory of L. Saeel
on Cohansey street. just north Of
Washington street.
1t was just 7. Is O'Clock last NIGHT
when fire was discovered in the boiler
room OF Sagel's factory. At the time
Isaac Sagel and two other men were
in the factory building cleaning up
after the days work. When their at
tention was called to the fire thew
rushed back to the boiler room and
Mr.. Isaac Sagel picked up an ex-
tinguisher and turned it on the flames
but 1T had no effect and the fire spread
rapidly. Then the men hurried to the
barn and hurriedly got the horses out
and as much Of the harness as possi-
BILE.
The flames seemed to feed upon
anything and were soon roaring all
through the rear of the frame struo-
ture. William Fl. McGear was oom-
ing down Laurel street and the glare
attracted his attention. He rushed to
box No. 50 and turned in an alarm.
and the department responded.
By the time the firemen reached the
scene the flames had secured a decided
headway and the building was
doomed.
The big plant Of the Arctic Ice Com
pany, situated directly next the burn.
ing factory, was in great danger.
Frame buildings were west of the
flames. separated from the Sagel barn
by only twelve feet lane. The big
brick building Of the ice company on
the north was but twelve or fifteen
feet away with number of sheds all
about which invited great danger.
Chief Kinkle first ran line of hose
from plug at Washington and
Laurel streets, along the south of the
Sagel plant and began the effort to
fight the flames from the Arctic barn.
The LaFrance engine was stationed
at the plug directly in front of the ice
plant on Cohansey street, and two lines
OF hose were run from that down be-
tween the ice plant and the SageI fac
tory.
sThere was scarce any water fur
nished through the hose and the fire.
men had to stand almost in the flames
to reach the fire.
The Chief then sent to the engine
house after more hose and the Silsby
engine. This engine was put on
Lanrel street opposite Loudenslager
& Harker's blacksmith shop and line
Of hose run down the lane opposite
the ice plant This furnished good
stream and good work was done when
the four streams were all turned upon
the burning structure.
The flames ate right through the
building and soon reached the front
and everything was destroyed entirely
as the fire proceeded, leaving but
little of the frame structure in front
standing.
The firemen continued to work upon
the burning embers until about two
O'Clock this morning. when every
spark had been extinguished.
Remarkable as it may seem not a
single bit of the Arctic Toe Co.'s prop
erty was destroyed, and the firemen
are to be congratulated for the work
accomplished after they got started.
The one principal drawback was the
lack of water.
The fire was highly spectacular
one. All about the locality it was
light as day. and the great crowds
packed about the streets were eagerly
looking at everything that happened.
The old frame structure was former
ly paint manufaotory, and the floors
were saturated with paints and oil
which added to thelfury of the flames.
There was much combustible ma
terial in Sagel's stock which fed the
fire greatly.
The big boiler which had been put
in the factory the first of August by
the Cox Sons Company was filed
with steam and all through the fire,
the escaping steam was kissing and
blowing off, and the whistle was
soreeohing as if in greatest agony.
There was grave danger Of boiler
explosion and people moved about the
place very continuously.
A big iron stack towering over the
boiler crashed down during the fire
but luckily it fell in the flames and
caused no damage.
Youngsters were in evidence during
the conflagration and they took big
chances in lodging in the factory and
getting some Of the sweet things that
had been..made in stock.
Driver Green had hard work during
the night. His team was called upon