Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-06-19
FLAMES DESTROY
ARLINGTON PLANT
Continued from First Page9

and gave the alarm. In few minutes
the whole wing was ablaEe."
According to the Waterman the
men never returned, although it is
thought they could have proceeded
far when the fire had gained serious
proportions Frizelle said he had
warned the men not to smoke In the
place. He declared it was the only
department in which there was any
smoking done.
Thousands of people from the West
Hudson towns and this eity, at
tracted by the reflection in the SKY,
which could be seen for miles, hast
ened to the scene. People In the i'm
mediate neighborhood, unable to
stand the heat, left their homes
Directly opposite the plant is a row
of houses owned by David Harper
These buildings steamed when water
was poured on them. In the rear,
fronting on Elm street, is six
family house owned by former Free
holder Joseph A. Riordan, of Harrl-
son.
Windows throughout this building
cracked and the paint blistered. Fire
men kept streams directed on the
structure and thus prevented 1T from
becoming ignited. The inmates of the
house had fled when they first telt
wires were cut by the firemen.
John r. O'Connor, who conducts
business in the northern wing OF the
building had just been elected d.
rector at a meeting of the Ridge
Building and Loan Association, OF
North Arlington. He was present at
the meeting when the fire alarm
sounded. Upon hearing the box num-
Der, Mr. O'Connor FASTENED from the
meeting and arrived at his plant to
find it a mass of flames.
He requested the firemen to turn
streams on his safe and keep it cooled
This was done. A short time before
the discovery of the fire, Mr.. O'Con-
nor had sent out both of his automo-
biles from the garage in the rear OF
the plant. This structure was de-
stroyed.
Frank SkriWanek, who also con-
Quoted a button factory in the build
ing, lost almost everything.
The roof of the plant fell a short
time after the fire was discovered.
At different intervals there appeared
| to be slight explosions and each time
part of the building would collapse.
The firemen got in control about mid
| night and it was almost an hour later
before "back-taps" were sounded.
Two companies remained at the
scene all night. They kept streams on
the smouldering ruins. Mr.. O'Connor
provided coffee for the vamps. To-
day the walls, which hung at danger
| GUS angles, were torn down. Mr.
| Riordan commended the firemen for
their work in saving his structure.
He was at the place this morning.
Peoplel living half mile from the
| fire todoy found their property streWn
with embers.
Only recently the stairways in the
building were fireproofed. Employees
of the factory a short time ago or
| ganized a brigade. AS a result of the
i blaze about $50 persons will be thrown
out of employment.
The building was erected eight years
ago by the Elm Realty Company
present owners, at a cost of $4,000
| ITp until a year ago the structure was
| occupied exclusively by the ESSEX
Pearl Button Company, and sub
| division of the building was made al
this time. The Himmelstein concern
moved to the structure from New
York a year ago.
Considerable comment was heard
today regarding the lack of water
pressure. Councilman Knowlton F.
Pierce, chairman of the fie committee
and a fieman, stated last night the
town is in sad need of a pumping
engine. He declaed he would Won
had to have the council purchase one
Some people believe the fire might
have not proved so disastrous had
there been an engine in operation tc
provide an increased pressure
Chief Greenfield said today the
pressure at the outset could not have
exceeded thirty pounds. Water Pur-
veyor Hugh McQuoid took issue with
the chief on this point. He declared
tic pressure in the section was l0t
pounds.
Mr.. O'Connor could not say today
whether the structure would be re-
built. The total damage is party
covered by insurance. During The
progress Of the fire the police did
creditable work in handling the crowd
Policeman Edward Davey, who is or
vacation, went to the fire and assisted
the other bluecoats under Roundsman
| William Magee.