Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-03-13
ELKS' CLUB FIRE
CAUSES DAMAGE
PUT AT $4,000
Basement and First Floor of
Green Street Building Bad
Iy Damaged.

About $4,000 damage Was caused
by fire in the ElSs Home, 81 Green
street, early eodayE The fire gutted
the. basement, whete the bowling al
leys are situated and the grill room
on the first floor. Just how the fire
started could not be learned. Re-
pairs will be made as soon as the
Insurance is adjusted.
While fighting the blaze several
iiremen narrowly escaped injury on
the first floor Smoke and gases col
lected between the metal-eevered cell
ing and the lath work. This heated
the covering As soon as the water
and air reached the ceiling the gases
expanded, causing about six explo-
sions Large sheets of metal were
torn by the explosions.
The grill room, which was recently
renovated and decorated, is situated
directly over the bowling alleys and
locker room. The fire ate its way be-
tween the walls and broke out in
the partition directly behind piano
III the right corner of the grill rom.
The grill room and bowling alleys
We're. totally destroyed.
When the firemen arrived the en-
TIRE DdStHltul was dDluLt. 1t W DIS
seen that the fire originated in the
locker room, ate its way under the
bowling alleys and thence to the sec
ond floor.
That the fire burned all night is
the opinion of Theodore Aab. chair
man of the house committee, who re-
sides next door to the Elks' building.
!. Several times during the night a
large black dog, pet of the Aab
household, barked and went to the
bedroom of Mr.. Aab, apparently in an
effort to arouse him. Mr.. Aab think
ing nothing wrong ordered the dog
to go down stairs.
The canine would obey. but would
return and go through its former ac-
tions. The dog barl<ed continuously
until the fire engines arrived at the
scene.
The firemen were handicapped In
reaching the scene of the fire owing
to wrong advisements. At 6:15 o'clock
a telephone message was received at
headquarters that there was a fire at
Mulberry and Green streets. Engine
Company No. l was notified and an
alarm sounded from box "a, at Null
| berry and Walnut streets.
Two minutes after the message was
received. at fire headquarters: police
I headquarters received a similar phone
massage. AT 6:19 o'clock the correct
information was received at fire head
| quarters.
Arthur Leonto, an Italian, janitor
of the place, arrived OF 6 o'clock.
After changing his clothes he started
for the cellar. He was forced 10
return, as the cellar was-blaek with
/ smoke. His shouts were heard by
Charles Mueller of 70 William street
who was passing 9t the time. Mr.
Mueller Informed fire headquarters
of the blaze.
Fire was found under the bowling
alleys. One of these had to be ripped
up In so doing the firemen were
met with a rush of flame.
Much of the equipment of the bill
liardroom was damaged. The tables
were water soaked. a set of bowling
balls are gone. The Elks' bowling
team was scheduled to leave this city
Thursday for Buffalo to play other
teams. The balls will have to be par
chased. The fixtures in the grill
room are destroyed. A meeting of
the board of trustees will be held to-
night.
The Aab building, situated next to
the right of the Ellts' home was
scorched.