Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-07

The force OF the explosion was so
great that one of these ties was pick
ed up and taken over into the road.
"When reached 6-2-1 Captain
Aimsworth was there and / told him
what Mr.. Eldridge had said. At that
time piece of burning material had
set the 6-2-1 building on fire. We put
out line of hose, but could not get
pressure. This fire was put out with
chemicals / went for a ladder from
the truck to place on the building to
put out any other blazing material
which might fall o nit, when the off,
cials ordered back the apparatus away
from the fire. took them back to the
field office.
by that time, fire companies from
all the nearby cities and towns began
to arrive, some as far away as New
ark. At that time we were stationed
at the field office A fire company
from Railway was there with pump
ing engine and IL was felt that IL the
engine could be COTTON near to the
6-2-1 unit, which was on fire, 1t could
be saved. went back to the Railway
company. The rearest hydrant was
between units ell and 6-2-1, but the
Railway company felt 1t was not safe
TO operate from there.
Then Superintendent L. II. Meyers
ordered every body back. All the COM
entrance gate. The two apparatus OF
the Gillespie company were stationed
Just below the first aid Office. The
men stayed with the apparatus until
two o'clock when they went over to
the fire house to get coffee.
IT had Just gotten my coffee when
the explosion of 6-3-1 occurred. We
all rushed to the door to see which
unit had exploded and. another explo-
sion heavier than the first blew the
end of the fire house in. At that time
there were explosions In succession.
w. - vt was mp possible to get back
| to the apparatus or to the e-S-1 unit
and the men left the fire house to
I, protect themselves.
"Six men left with me and we kept
| going until we got under the hill at
Morgan station where we stayed until
| 3 or 6 o'clock, when someone said 1t
was unsafe to stay there and. about
/ 1000 people were ordered to go to-
| ward Keyport. 1t was $40 o'clock
when got to Browns point and took
| the trolley car for Matawan."
Captain Stryker said that Chief Don-
| Ohio, soon after leaving the fire house
was shell shocked and was taken to
| the company hospital and then re-
moved to the hospital at Lakewo cd.
When asked the cause of the lull in
| the eplosions and fire between IL and
| 2 o'clock Saturday morning, Captain
| Stryker said that this was caused by
| all the shells being exploded In the
Gill unit and the GIL unit burning
| with no way to putt 1t out. owing to
| the failure of the water system. Cap
| tain Stryker lost everything he had in
the flames, including his two weeks
| salary of $115, which was in cash. 8
suits of clothes and other articles. All
| the flremen lost money and valuables.
| ~>-~s~~~~~~~~~S~~~~~~
If charge of the institution.
The city is in command of Major
Dowley. of the Fourth Battalion. New
Jersey State Militia of Elizabeth. Cap
tain George w. Lawrence of the Sec
ond Lakewood, third battalion and Is
completely under the control of Colo
mel John /. Rodgers. of the adjutant
generals Office.
1t has been learned through inves-
tigation that the houses will not have
| to be rebuilt as first thought neces-
sary The extent of the damage done
seems to be the breaking of windows,
falling of chimneys and ceiling.
Mayor Kerr announces that there
are 500 kilograms In South Amboy
awaiting claimants and that they will
| be found at St Mary's hall