Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-12-06

work scrambled out Of danger. Fire
man John Connolly, of Engine Company
No I, was badly cut by flying glass
H. had his wounds dressed end ~
manned at his post of duty.
At noon searching parties of feem n
vent through the building looking for
bodies of the persons who are said to
have been missed. They completed
their search OF the FIRST and second
floors, but owing to the intense heat
could moi reach the third floor. On this
floor is the locker which held the wraps
4-ol the girls who are said to be miss
ing,
Harry quinn, of the Quinn Coal Com
pany, whose Offices are opposite the
burning plant. ran into he building,
and while carrying out some of the
office effects was overcome by smoke.
He was soon revived, He said that the
Office force had TO leave so hurriedly
that the safe was left open.
Tie third alarm which had been sent
out brought additional fire apparatus
and ainbulances and the reserves from
several precincts and mounted police
men. Thousands focked from all parts
OF the city. Reports that several bodies
were IN the ruins added to the excite
ment.
The firealen fought the fire from ali
sides. They were handicapped some
by the narrowness OF the streets IN the
froat and rear. The crowds pressed
Through the police lines and then Wilel
it looked as Il the south wall OF the
building would fall the police charged
tho crowds and drove them back,
Occasionally there would dash
through the crowd some i1alf-frantic
woman, crying for some lost one. The
police firmly, but tenderly, urged them
back. 1t appeared that several of the
employees. instead OF at once report
ing 10 their family or relatives, stood
and watched the spectacular blaze.
News of the fire had spread to all
parts OF the city and brought relatives
ard friends o. those employed there to
the scene.
Father John p. Poels. of st. johns
Church, allayed the fears OF several Of
the rarishioness who feared for theii
children In ST. johns School.
Charles Wcnning, assistant superin-
tendent. was surrounded by a crowd OF
pecple. principally relatives of those
employed in the factory. He said that
while III believed that all were gotten
OUT In safety he was not positive.
II was in the basement" said Mr.
Wenning, when the engineer came
running toward me. He said that there
was a fire and urged me to give the
alarm. The next instant there was o
cloud of smoke and a burst of flame.
and I had 10 make q lively exit. When
] got to the upper feors and gave the
alarm all the employees ran out. al
though l fear that some of the girls
went back for their wraps"
Superintendent Clark made this
statement:
Il win not DC able to estimate the
damage to the building for several
Gays. AS you see, the building is almost
an entire loss. This was Our busy sea-
son and we were working fell force and
al a big stock. I cannot imagine how
the fire started. although it is clear
that it started in the basement. The
building was insured for $685. 900 and the
stock for s25. 600
After pouring tons OF water on the
fire the lrernen confined the blaze to
the original building. although the
Newark Metal Works, adjoining on the
10. tn. were scorched some and slightly
damaged by water. At noon Chief Asst
ley said that he believed that he had
the blaze under control.
There was considerable criticism over
the slow operation Of the water tower.
II is charged thai several valuable min
utes were lost in the raising Of this APP
paratus. Commissioner Matthias STRAIT
Ton, discussing this phase OF the fire.
lighting, said;
while it is true that the water tower
was not raised as quickly as it might
be, i should be understood that the
.flremon We're greatly hampered by tele-
p5one and trolley wires. The wires of
high current were V shaped and
the truck had to be raised very ginger
Is. II these wires had been touched a
current might be formed which would
result in the loss OF life"