Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-15
NEW READING PIER
DESTROYED BY FIRE,
LOSS IS S26O,OOO
$4,000 Watch Biggest and
Most Spectacular Blaze
in Years, as Firemen Com
bat Flames.

a mass OF twisted steel girders en-
tangled In confusion on the blackened
concrete foundation is all that remains
today of the big Philadelphia and Read
Ing Railway pier at Delaware avenue and
Catharine street. after one OF the most
spectacular and dangerous fires that has
occurred in this city in years. Seven
fremen today are nursing minor injuries
received in their attempt to quell the
blaze, which started about o'clock last
night and continued several hours. The
loss is said TO be 800 600.
A score of engine companies and trucks,
three freboats, tugboats and other ves-
sells participated in the fire fighting and
a concerted effort 20 eXtinguish them pre-
vented the flames from spreading and per-
haps sweeping miles of the waterfront
Half an hour after the fire started the
pillar of fame that shot hundreds Of feet
into the air was surrounded by a solid
wall of water.
5000 SEE BLAZE
The fire was viewed by what the police
say was the largest crowd they have
handled in years 1t is estimated that
more than 5000 persons congregated with
in a few blocks of the burning pier. maxi
ing the streets. for time, impossible.
iamming the elevated station at South
street and even hllinG other piers along
the river from which they could get a
view OF the flames
The glare against the sky was watched
by thousands more in all parts OF the
city. Its brilliance Is best indicated by
the fact that a man at 3oth and Ludlow
streets thought the flames were in that
section and turned IN a false alarm
Another man, policeman, sent in a
false alarm from Front and Federal
streets
About 1910 bales Of cotton bought by
Philadelphians in the "buy-a bale" move
ment to help the South, a hundred bar
rels OF whisky and several hundred bales
OF rags with other merchandise, were
stored on the pier, which was to have
been finished in few months at total
cost of $500 OO0. The temporary scaffolding
from which the final touches were being
put to the big pier and the whisky offered
a highly comhustible combination that
fed the flames for hours.
The intense heat probably saved scores
Of frenen from serious injury or death,
as they were unable 10 get under the
Roof While the flames were at their
worst this collapsed, sending tons OF
steel srders 10 the flooring with a thun-
dsrous report that was heard for many
blocks, An instant later a brilliant show
er OF sparks was sent into the air and
fell IN all directions.
FIRES NEARBY QUELLED.
Chemical engine companies were as
signed 10 guard buildings on the other side
OF Delaware avenue, and extinguished
several hres started by the sparks.
Shortly after the roof fell while tongues
Of flames were shooting from all parts
Of the pier, the crew Of Reading Rail-
way tug risked their lives 10 steam along
side and tow away four car floats.
This was the most spectacular bit OF
work at the fire and thousands watched
spelloound as the little black tug shot
into the brilliant light made by fire and
ssarchliEhts from freboats, almost into
the heart Of the blaze. man with head
and shoulders muhled with tarpaulin
slipped over the side OF the tug to the
floats with a knife and began to hack,
calmly, but rapidly, at the hawseTs hold
Ing the hoat 10 the pier Meantime his
comrades on the tug kept a steady stream
of water playing about him When he
had cut some Of the ropes the fire parted
the others and the tug steamed out into
the river with the two floats 70 an ac-
companiment OF blasts from the whistles
OF other river craft.
The burned pier was $50 feet wide by
30 feet long. II was one Of many recent
improvements under way by the Reading,
and AoOk the place OF three old and mar
row piers. Although unfinished It was
put into service in December OF last
year
50 far 1t has MOI sounds armed how the
IRE started. An ell Vic Bdon Is being
made today PZ "a 90 the PenA9mslsla