New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-04
Overcome by Smoke and
Fatigue in Philadelphia
and Camden.
TENEMENT HOUSE
JEWELLERS ESCAPE
Destruction of Ferry
House on Jersey Side
Blocks Railway Traffic.
BY T.lefr,ph 70 ne Tnbunc.l

Philadelphia, Jan. 3.-Two fires, one
on the Camden, y. J., river front and
the other in the centre Of this eity's
manufacturing district, resulted in up
ward OF Sl,500,0O0 loss to-day. Scores
Of firemen were overcome and 1872
persons were taken TO hospitals
during the Philadelphia FIRE. which
started early this morning and was not
cot under control until late tonight
Others were overcome in Camden.
The big lumber yard Of the Charles
Este Company. 2Oth St. and Glenwood
sv.. was the scene Of the fire in this
city. The flames, starting in one cor
ner of the yard. were tsnned by a
twenty-mile wind hnc quickly spread
attacking all the ofhces, storehouses
and small buildings.
Before the firemen had responded 70
the fifth alarm the flames had jumped
across street. which bounds one side
OF the lumber establishment, and de-
stroyed a row OF dwelling houses there.
Less than half an hour later half
dozen more dwellings were swept away
on the opposite side of the plant. Al
together eighteen dwellings were
burned, the occupants escaping with
the loss Of all their belongings.
Not since the Bodine st. FIRE, several
years ago, when seven fremen were
burned 10 death and scores injured,
have so many fremen been overcome
They dropped to-day half dozen a.
"a time, and dozens Of ambulances from
l. h. HHn Of
city were called into service TO hurry
them 10 those institutions for treat
nent. Several score nurses and ambu-
lance surgeons worked throughout the
dav without relief.
II is believed spark from loco
motive started the fire. -Four alarms
Immediately followed. The first fre
engine TO arrive was burned TO the
ground and nothing left but the boiler.
As the flames spread to the dwellings,
facing the lumber yard. panicstricken
men and women and children hlled the
streets.
Many Of them rushed out Of their
homes half clad, crying for help to
save their belongings. No help was
Forthcoming. and they had 70 fee with
what they could grab up IN few min
utes before the roofs of their homes
cues of women and children we're made
BIZ fremen. A Christmas tree, in all its
holiday splendor, was about the only
thing Of any immediate value saved
from this row of homes, its excited
owner dragging il TO the street while
his wife and children looked on.
After the fremen had tried vainly
to- save the dwellings near the lumber
yard. they turned their attention 10
other properties, including d dozen or
more factory buildings and store
houses, and succeeded in stopping the
spread Of the flames to them. They
were powerless, however, 70 save any
part Of the lumber yard, and the flames
were only controlled late tonight after
they had spent their fury. The lumber
yard loss is estimated al Sl,OOO,OOO.
The Camden river front FIRE is be-
ieved to have originated from a ciga-
rette left lying in the waiting room OF
the Kaighn av ferryhOuse. The ferry
house was destroyed, entsiling loss
of about $4,000 10 the Delaware River
Ferry Company and the Reading Rail-
way Company, included in the amount
being the loss Of three parlor cars,
valued az about 100000, and twenty
one passenger coaches, estimated TO De
worth about $4,000 each.
The big lumber plant Of the c. B.
Coles Sons Company, in Front ST, be-
low Kaighn av., was wiped out. Mem
bers of the firm estimated that loss al
about sl50,000. The Dialogue ship
yard. at Front and Mechanic SITS, wsS
damaged 10 the extent of about $4,000
Battalion Chief Barrett, Of Philadel
phia, led a big delegation Of Philsdel
phis fire fighters to the rescue, while
squads of volunteer firemen from
Gloucester City, Collngswood and other
places were on the scene. Good work
was done BY Philadelphia frebosts and
tugs Of the Reading Railway. The en-
ire loss is covered by insurance. Sew