Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-11-26
AN APPALLING DISASTER.
Twenty Persons. Mostly Young Girls,
Killed at Fire In Paper Box Fac
tory-HerOism of Firemen and Priests

whom we're young girls, perlshed In
the fire that destroyed the factory OF
the Newark Paper Box Company,
Orange and High streets, today, ac-
cording to the best available estimates
at this hour. The confiagration is the
most horrible calamity that has visited
Newark in many years.
Within few minutes after the flames
we're discovered the scene became one
OF horror, and early spectators stricken
dumb by the sight OF girls leaping
blindly from third and fourth story
windows OF the blazing building. A
general alarm brought every piece Of
fire fighting apparatus TO the scene,
but for long time no progress was
made against tue flames.
Acts Of extraordinary beroism were
performed by the score. Three priests
from St. Patrick's Observation-Disclosures
Herman, Dillon and Brennan-fought
their way into the blazing structure
against the protests OF persons who saw
them, and gave conditional absolution
to the dying All narrowly escaped
the fate OF those they sought to succor.
Fremen fought with each other to
be allowed to enter the blazing struc-
ture. So fierce we're the flames, how
ever, that ladders placed against the
building burned like matches, and the
work OF rendering aid to the trapped
employees was disastrously hindered.
In the meantime every window OF
the building was filled with hysterical
men and women. The life nets were
spread, and many were saved by leap
ing into them.
Several Of those who leaped toward the
nets misjudged the distance and missed
striking them, falling to the pavement.
1t is estimated that at least half dozen
were killed in this manner. Several
we're burned while in the building, but
far more met their death in leaps from
windows. Some of the fremen we're
injured, perhaps MORALLY, by being
struck by falling bodies. Nearly all
OF the victims we're girls, employed in
the box factory.
High street, in front OF the building
was a gruesone sight, bodies OF girls,
some dead and others enduring mortal
agony, being strewn about haphazard
There we're about $50 persons employed
by the different concerns in the build
ing, and from inquiries made by the
police and firemen it became apparent
that there were large number not ac-
counted for after the fire was discoy
cred.
From stories told by giIs who es-
capped from the fire, it was made to APP
pear that the fire had its origin on the
third floor, and was caused by the ex-
ploson OF gasoline lamp.
One OF the spectators said that at
least fifteen girls had jumped from the
fourth floor Of the burning structure.
They staid at the windows until frenzied
by the flames behind them, and, nearly
suffocated by the smoke, they leaped to
the street.
Twenty Of the injured were taken to
the City Hospital in the ambulance.
The salvage auto took four more. Or
these, two died after reaching the hos
pital.
1t was impossible to obtain the Dames
OF the victims in the great confusion
that PREVAILED.
To an old structure, whose floors
were filled with oil and dirt, lily equip
ped with fire escapes and whose stairs
we're winding fimsy structures, which
carried fire as il they were chimneys, is
due the great loss of life. Twenty min
utes after the first alarm was turned in,
and while fire apparatus was still en-
route from the distant quarters OF the
city, the structure was a complete
wreck and its walls had collapsed.
As fast as bodies we're recovered from
the ruins, they were taken to the city
morgue. All were so badly charred
that identification will be practically
impossible.
Chief of the fire department Ashley
said that the entire building was mass
of flames before he reached the scene
and that several Of those who we're
burned to death we're caught inside, as
the doors were the first to burn.
The intense heat caused the girls to
Jump from the windows as fast as they
reached them without waiting for the
arrival OF the fremen, and in this man
ner many we're killed and terribly in
jured. Men rushed from neighboring
factories and spread improyised life nets
OF wagon covers and coats and a num-
Der OF girls we're saved by this means.
In jumping from the fourth floor TO
their death several girls plunged through
wires.
In several cases the skirts OF the vic
tins became entangled in the network
Of wires and were left blowing in the
wind, only to be consumed moment
later by tongues OF fame.
One girl in her leap to the ground
struck telephone pole. For a mo-
msnt she hung suspended in mid-air,
the arm OF the pole having impaled
her. Then she dropped lifeless to the
Portions OF her clothing
left behind were soon deycured by the |
fire.
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