Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-09-11
HALL, THREE STORES|
AND BARNS BURNED

Fire early today practically de-
stroyed Masonic Hall, a well-known
landmark in 1rvington, erected in
1927, and several nearby buildings.
entailing a loss estimated at from
$15,o 900 to $4,000. Willard Mckee, of
West Clinton avenue, is in GLADDEN.
Lodge Hospital suffering from the
fumes of the smoke inhaled while as
ststing in the rescue Of horses stabbed
in the rear of the buildings.
Franklin Lodge, II. and A. NJ, which
owns Masonic Hall: George F. Gar
wood, of 80 Walnut street, Newark,
and II. II. Smith, groceryman. of 11os
Clinton avenue. are the heaviest
losers. The lodges loss Is variously
estimated at from $1,000 to $1,000. Mr..
Garwood said his loss would be close
to $4,000. He owns the row OF frame
structures extending from Masonic
Hall to e. Boerger's plumbing store,
three of which were completely
Quilted.
The grocery store at No. 1903 suf-
fered only from water. Mr.. Smith
had about $1,000 worth of stock which
hO NOAioAatiS Ao5ts OLliClS diIldS0u
by the fire include the Irvington
Lodge of Elks. Irvington Council, Jr.
o. u. A. NJ; Charles Judas, +. Boer-
ger. Joseph Raggt, stock in candy
store; a barber and a Chinese laun-
dryman. These losses range from S25
to $500
The fire broke out shortly after 2
o'clock in a shed or barn in the rear
Of the grocery store. The cause is
not known. II was discovered by
Mr.. and Mrs. e. v. Tuttle, of 8 New
ton place. who were walking by, and
Mrs. John Kane, of Union avenue.
Mr.. futile notified Special Officer
Charles Brauner, Waterman at the
Town Hall, who sent in the alarm.
A mass Of flames from the tinder-
box structures In the rear greeted the
firemen. The fire had leaped to the
frame addition TO Masonic Hall and
gotten between a metal ceiling on the
second floor and the roof, which was
covered with tar paper. This ceiling
was a serious handicap to the f1remen.
Two barns and some wagon sheds adj
joined the hall, forming almost COM
plete circle, and preventing the fire.
men from getting inside on account of
the flames. Five horses were rescued
from the barns by John Kane, Mi
Willard Mckee. The last-named was
overcome while assisting in the work.
The men chopped holes in the front of
the barn and drove the horses out.
That the firemen prevented further
spread of the flames was due to hard
work and the fact that there was no
wind. Had there been a hreeZe the
entire block would have been des-
troyed. Lumber yards and storage
sheds of the Stone-Post Company ad-
Joined Masonic Hall on the east, but
escaped.
Six dodgers were sleeping on the
third floor of 110S. They were awak-
ened by ]. Blonock and Harry SOM
mer, trolley men. The fire was under
control In about an hour.
The damage by fire to Masonic Hal
IS confined to the second floor, where
the various lodges meet The affairs
and a plano appear to be only slight
ly injured. The furniture is burned
and scorched and there are large holes
in the floor made by the firemen tc
let the water down through. Water
has caused the ceiling on the frs
floor to drop In many places. The
locker rooms containing parapher-
MALTA of the lodges was damaged BY
water only.
Irvington Council, Jr. o. u. A. M.
met in session last night on the sec
ond floor and the Craftsmen's Asso'
floor. The building was empty abou
midnight The fire broke out more
than two hours later.