New-York tribune., 1906-12-28
GIRLS FIRE HER0INES.
SAVE 80 COMPANIONS.
Pre0ent Them from Leaping to
Death and Lead Them to Safety.

At fire in a factory building at Nos 500 and
6S1 East 18th street last night two working
girls performed deeds Of heroism that entitle
them to high places the roll Of fame Their
names are Mary Long and Jennie Lynch. Ex-
cept for them, thirty other girls. fellow-work-
ers. would probably have lost their lives.
The building was occupied by three firms and
was six story brick structure. The first and
second floors were occupied by the Otto Table
Manufacturing Company. the third and fourth
floors by the Leslie Cigar Box Manufacturing
Company. and the fifth and sixth floors. where
the girls were employed. by the Advance Nov
city Company. manufacturers Of candy and
novelties
The fire started in some unknown manner on
the first floor. near the elevator shaft. which
was IN the centre Of the building. The flames
were not discovered until they had gained great
headway They shot up the elevator shaft and
broke through the roof
The girls employed by the Advance Novelty
Company. who We're working overtime. knew
nothing about the fire until they saw the flames
break through the boarding around the eleva-
tor shaft on the sixth floor. The room was I'm
mediately filed with choking. binding smoke.
The thirty girls screamed in terror and dashed
for the windows.
Then it was that Miss Long and Miss Lynch.
ers, showed splendid courage. Hurrying among
the panicstricken girls. several of whom were
raising the windows. screaming that they would
jump from them. they cried:
Don't jump. girls; can get down the fire
escape-there is plenty of time at the same
time dragging their companions from the win
dows bodily.
The room 50 filed with smoke that the
girls were cropping in darkness. in spite OF the
electric lights in the room. Miss Lynch and
Miss Long clasped hands. and. calling upon the
others TO follow. groped their way TO the rear
of the building. where the fire escapes were.
Choking and gasping the girls at last reached
the ascape. They could hear the flames crack
ling behind them, and were I'm a frenzy. One
by one. Miss Long and Miss Lynch helped their
companions out upon the escape, and when the
last girl had been safely got out the two young
women climbed out themselves and followed the
long string Of girls down the iron steps.
Heavy clouds Of smoke We're pouring out Of
the second story windows, and the thirty girls
huddled there, afraid to go any further. Again
Miss Lynch and Miss Long took the lead.
Wrap your aprons about your heads girls. and
lowed the advice Of their leaders, and stumbled
down the remaining flight of stairs to safety.
Three alarms were sent in for the fire, which
practically Quilted the building. The new Dep
uty Police Commissioner, Mr.. Bugher arrived
atter the second alarm. and took charge Of the
police. Deputy Fire Chief BinnS. who In
command of the firemen. seeing the danger to
the adjoining buildings-fve story tenement
houses-had the occupants turned out Of them
Two fremen were injured. While climbing
ladder 10 reach tire third fOor with a line OF
hose, Charles Spangenberg. Of Engine g. was
severely cut by piece of flying glass In spite
of his injury he kept on until forced to stop
from loss OF blood. John Mcdonald, driver If
Fire Patrol J, was struck the head by piece
of heavy glass. He received severe Iaceration
Of the scalp. and was taken to Bellevue Hospf-
tai. Several flrenen were overcome by smoke
but returned to fight the blaze after receiving
treatment. The loss is estimated az 100000