Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1909-08-03
Mrs. Joseph Duh and Children Have Narrow Escape
from Death -Passer-by Sees Flames and Rushes
into Building S|eepers Partially Unconscious and
Have to Be Carried TO Safey-Mr. Duh Out
HAD TWO ALARMS WITHIN A FEW HOURS

The fremen were called out twice
within seven hours last night. The
first alarm was turned in from box 81,
at Washington and First streets, at
6:10 clock, but the fire. which was
caused by an oil stove exploding, was
out before the companies arrived. The
second alarm came In from box S5, at
the city hospital shortly after midnight
and, although the firemen responded in
good time, nd-a-half-story resi-
dence, owned and occupied by Mr.. and
Mrs. Duh, at Brace avenue and Colgate
street, was totally destroyed
When the latter FIRE was discovered
Mr.. Duh, who is a city scsvenger, was
at work on Oak street and did not learn
until an hour later that his home had
been destroyed. The origin is unknown,
but it undoubtedly started in the attic.
Mrs. Duh and her two small children
were asleep at the time and had mar
row escape from being burned to death.
"A man happened to be passing the house
on his way home, when he discovered
the flames through window. He broke
open the door and found the woman and
her children asleep, on the bed, with
flames licking their hair.
Carried to Safety.
As they were partially unconscious
he had to carry them from the building.
In the meantime the flames had broken
through the roof and the illumination
place. Neighpors cared for Mrs. Duh
and her children and futile effort was
made to save some of her furniture.
Victor Kelete ran to box IS and sent
ia an alarm for the companies but the
building Nas-doomed before they ar
rived. Mr.. Duh, who arrived later, said
that he had some insuraure but not
enough to cover the loss.s He said that
he lost $75 in cash, which was in a
trunk in the attic
After Mrs. Duh had been carried from
the building she remembered the $75
and wanted to go back after it, but her
rescuer would not permit It., as the roof
seemed ready to fall any minute. The
house was of peculiar construction. The
walls from the ground to the top of the
first story were of dirt, cemented over
on the outside. The house had evident
ly been erected by building auframe
work and plastering mud against it.
The attic walls were of brick.
Firemen Delayed by Train.
The fremen were hampered in reach
ing the fire by train at the New
Brunswick avenue crossing Of the Cen
trail railroad, where Protection Hook &
Ladder Company and Lincoln Engine
Company were held up for nearly ten
minutes. In order to get any water on
the burning house, the firemen had to
lay about 1000 feet of hose, as the
nearest hydrant was at Brace and Han
son avenues. Lincoln g steamer pump
ed, but on account of the distance the
pressure was poor. Four lengths of the
Garfield Hose Company's hose burst
and made more trouble. The steamer
got stuck twice in returning from the
fire, as some of the streets back of the
hospital are in poor condition.
Oil Stove Exploded.
An oil stove exploded in the home of
Frank Reed, at 146 Washington street,
last night. James Bolen, who lives in
the same building, thinking the house
was in danger, ran to box so and called
companies. The blaze was smothered
before any damage had been done and
before the fremen arrived. Mrs. Reed
had one of her hands slightly burned.