Perth Amboy evening news., 1908-04-15

Mcclellan Engine Company's ten
der was the first to arrive on the
scene. For some time they were un-
able to make a connection at a hy-
drant, on account of the bushing be-
ing loose. Lincoln Engine Com
pany's tender arrived about a min
ute later, closely followed by the
MeClellan's steamer Protection
Hook & Ladder Company arrived
next and First Assistant Mead under
orders of Chief Mullen, sent In "22"
to call the Lincoln steamer.
Save Adjoining Buildings.
The hall was by this time a mass
of flames and the firemen directed
their attention towards saving Mr..
Gadek's hotel and the tenement
houses on Pulaski avenue and Valley
place. The heat was terrific and, in
spite of fourSstreams of water, which
were poured on the structure, they
caught fire and, several times, 1t was
feared they would be consumed.
Poor pressure and trouble with the
hydrants hampered the firemen, so
they declared. Only one length Of
slightest injury. Had it not been for
SAiC uhiiAinS WIN VI LuO ilCliCiis
hotel and all of the houses on the
block would have been destroyed.
While one of the steamers was
pumping from the hydrant on Pulas-
XII avenue good sized stone was
drawn through the plug and story
at once circulated that some one had
tampered with the hydrant.
Wires Are Cut.
Telephone and electric light wires
were cut by the firemen as they were
In the way. An attempt was made to
cut the trolley feed wire, but the
clippers were too small.
1t was o'clock this morning be-
fore the fire was out and Chief Null
len ordered the companies back to
their houses. The ruins are still
smoking and a few firemen are on
guard in case 1t should break out
again.
Find Chickens i'm Attic.
A fact worthy of consideration in
regard to the origin of the fire came
to light this morning when pig and
about fifty chickens were found in
the attic of Gadek's hotel. Mr. Cad
elk told Chief Mullen that the chick
ems had been in a shed, which was
consumed. The lremen examined
the shed and not a charred body of
chicken could be found. which rails
ed the question as to how the fowls
came to be found in the attic.
Former Ferry House.
The dance hall and pavilion, which
was a total loss, was formerly the
ferry house at st. George, S. l. 1t
was purchased by Mr. Gadek year
ago and he moved 1t to this city In
all the building cost him about
100000. The building was recon-
structed by its new owner and this
winter was used as skating rink
and for dances and theatrical per-
formances. Decorators and painters
have been at work there for the past
month and today would have COM
pleted their work. New scenery had
been painted for the stage and in
many other ways Mr.. Gadek has sunk
considerable money into the hall in
order to make 1t an attractive place
for summer festivities.
Mr. Gadek was aroused by the
blasts from the whistle of locomo-
tive and he was at the burning hall
before the firemen arrived. In con-
versation with a NEWS reporter he
said that his loss would be heavy in
spite of the insurance. He said he
would replace the hall with modern
structure.
Fourth Fire for Gadek.
This is Mr. Gadek's fourth fire,
his first being a number of years ago
when he kept saloon on State street
near Chauncey street. A little over
a year and a half ago. a large dance
hall on the site Of the present burned
building was totally destroyed,
About two or three months ago a
house on Gadek avenue. be-
longing to Gadel, was damaged by
fire to the extent Of several hundred
dollars.