The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-12-09
FAMILIES MADE
HOMELESS
Big Fire in Hoboken Which
Broke Out in Keufel &
Esser's Factory Threaten
ed Nearby Tenements
LOSS PLACED AT 100000
BREMEN WERE GREATLY HAM
PERED BY THE LOW PRESSURE
OF WATER-THREE MEN
SLIGHTLY INJURED.

SLIGHTLY INJURED.
block bounded by Jefferson, Adams,
Third and Fourth streets. Hoboken,
broke out in the factory Of Keuffel &
Esser, which occupies about three-quar-
ters of the block, shortly after six o'clock
last evening. The firm manufactures
engineers supplies. mathematical in
struments, etc. The New York office is
located at No. so John street, Manhat-
tan. The factory consisted of saw milb
and pattern shop, finishing room. Offices,
etc. A stable adjoined it :. In the same
block are FIVE five-story frame tenement
buildings. Nearly all of these were de-
Etroyed or badly damaged. The loss is
estimated at 100000. Chief Applegate
Of the Hoboken Fire Department, beliey-
ing the block to be doomed, appealed to
the Jersey City Fire Department. for aid.
Three engines and two hook and ladder
companies were sent to the scene of the
FIRE. The Jersey City firemen turned
their Attentions to protecting the sur
rounding property from the rayages of
the devouring flames, while the Hobo
sen department fought the blaze that
was rapidly devouring the doomed block.
The 6re fighters were hampered by the
low water pressure and Chief Applegate
appealed to those in charg Of the Hack
ensack Water Company's works to put
On all water pressure possible. This ap-
peal was answered, and after that the
more headway made in subduing the
fiery cement. which, fed on infiammable
.nater,al. had spread rapidly. doomed the
factory and stable and had reached the
iii frame tenement houses,
There was intense excitement among
one hundred and fifty or more occu-
,IIts, who, believing that the buildings
Neuld be consumed by the fierce blaze,
truggled to get out their belongings.
The streets nearby were soon piled with
furniture, trunks, bed-clothi1Ig and other
household effects. Women with babies in
heir arms and little children tugging at
fheir skirts, some of them crying, others
boxing on in wonder at the great 'bon-
fire. and clapping their hands with de-
light, while men struggled to get out and
keep together their household effects,
made up wierd and animated scene
The fremen Tough like demons and after
two hours had the flames under control,
but not until the big factory had been
destroyed and the tenement houses badly
damaged by FIRE and wafer.
The fire started in the main factory
fnd the flames spread rapidly. When the
&remen reached the scene they found
several womeA employed in the factory
playing streams on tho blaze from fire
hose they had dragged out. Nearly all
the employees had LEFT the factory and
gone home for the night
Driver James Sinclair and Hoseman
gohn Regan, of Engine oCmpany No. 5,
were slightly injured by being pinioned
By falling wall. They were rescued by
comrades and continued their work.
The loss is said to be covered by in
eirance.
y. st. Francis Roman Catholic Church
B at Third and Jefferson streets, along
side of the main factory, and when the
sre drove the tenants from the houses on
Adams street Father Perrotti and the
lixteen sisters of charity attached to the
parish became active in aiding them. All
were given shelter.
While the FIRE was raging the sky was
at up and the lurid glare could be seen
FOR miles around. revealing sea of faces
II crowds of residents of the Heights.
who watched the scene from the brow
pf the Hill.