Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-28
ROTTEN HOSE At GOTHAM FIRE
RESPONSIBLE FOR PRoSTRA-
TON OF TEN FIREMEN.
Two May Die From Smoke-Plenty
of Water But Little Could Be
Thrown on Flames.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK. December 2S.-Two fire.
men of ten who were Frustrated at a blaze
at 9th and Sd avenue, Brook
Ign. this morning will probably die. Their
misfortune is due wholly to the rotten
hose with which their engine was
equipped There was an abundant supply
of water. but the hose burst repeatedly
and carried none into the building when
they entered depending on it to keep
down the flames.
The fire was discovered by the motor
man of trolley car. who warned the
inmates and gave the alarm.
The first of the fire fighters to arrive
was engine company No. 141, in command
of acting Capt. Hefferman. Hardly had
the engine begun pumping when hose be
gan bursting, as though they were made
of tissue paper. There came break after
break. every break showing the hose to
be practically worthless.
Hefferman and some of his men got to
the cellar. depending upon the water to
drive back the flames. No water came.
as the rotten hose gave way and Heffer-
reach the street, only to fall unconscious.
Hefferman's comrades outside guessed
the truth and went to the rescue.
Buried Under Plaster.
Lieut.. Jareck with Smith, Mike McNally
and James Kane. got to the roof and
were letting themselves down through a
trap door when the flames shot through
the opening Jareck lost his hold and
toppled forward. down came Smith. Nc
Nally and Kane after him. All the men
got out save Smith. In the smoke and
flames he lost his way, and he was feel
ing his way to the front rooms when the
ceiling fell upon him. burying him under
the plastering. For Gods sake, come
up here some of you men, called Jareck.
He managed to get to the front roof
and yelled down just as hook and ladder
number "a and engine number 101 came
galloping up. Ladders were stretched in
jiffy.
men reached for him. "He's in the front
room"
Down the scuttle went the ffremen. and
they brought Smith out and carried him
to the street. Then they brought down
Mentally and Kane. both unconscious.
All this while Jareck, weak and unable
to stand. constantly breathing in smoke
sat on the edge of the roof. He would
not allow himself to be saved until the
last of his men was carried down.
Plunged to the Street.
Up the ladder ran John McCue and
James McCrons. both of engine company
number 1O1. They seized Jareck as he
fell back insensible and started down the
ladder with the lieutenant between them.
They passed the third-floor windows safe
ly and were passing the windows on the
second floor when burst of flame shot
out at them.
The two rescuers were both weak from
smoke. and. in lodging the flames, lost
their footing and plunged to the street.
McCue and McCrone both fell on top Of
Jareck. Both of them lay unconscious.
with heads bleeding. They were hurried
to a hospital, where. at last accounts.
they were barely alive and little hope is
entertained of their recovery.
For two hours the f1remen fought be-
fore the flames were conquered, and while
the battle lasted three engines had to be
withdrawn while broken hose was being
patched. The loss was bnot more than
s.. OO0 or $4,000. The origin of the fire is
not known.
Another deed of more than usual hero
ism marked the fire. Charles Tucker. a
young man who lived with his parents
on the second floor of the burned build
ing. carried his twelve-year-old invalid
sister. Ethel, down the smoke-enveloped
stairs to safety.