Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-12

Two fires were discovered in Camden
today within fifteen minutes Of each
other, destroying thousands of dollars
worth of property and causing consider
able excitement among residents of the
thickly populated sections in which they
occurred.
The first was three alarm blaze in
leather goods plant Mt the head of
Second street, near the river front. and
the other in n carbarn at Twelfth street
and Newton avenue. where twenty one
trolleys were destroyed.
The police arc investigating both fires
in an attempt to determine their origin.
While they refrain from stating that
the fires were inccndiary. the fact that
the flames spread so rapidly in both
instances prompts them to term both
bazes "suspicious.' Both Of the build =.
ings were damaged by other fires Of
undetermined origin within the last two
years.
No estimate has been made of the
property damage at the leather plant,
operated by the John II. Evans Com
pany. into which is merged the Peer =
less Kid Company, the Ruby Kid Com
pany and the Jersey Leather Company.
Loss Estimated at $20O, 900
At tho car barn blaze the damage to =
tailed 100000:
The first fire was discovered shortly
after 80 o'clock in a small, galvanized
iron building in the center of a grour
of buildings operated by the leather
concern.
The blaze was burning fiercely before
It was discovered by the watchman.
The flames leaped so high in the
air that the entire city was alarmed
As soon as the police and fremen ar
rived, residents of the thirty five houses
on Sigel street, in front of the blazing
building, were ordered from their homes
Neighbors on the opposite side of Sige
street became alarmed and moved out
The small street was soon filled with
men. women and children, many 'ot
them still in their night clothes. Many
of the families moved sonic Of thcil
household belongings to the street.
r-r The fire at the leather plant two
years ago last March damaged $500, ,OO(
worth of property.
Within fifteen minutes after the fire
men had been summoned to the leather
plant, an alarm was turned in from tn,
carbarn. Only one engine compan!
from East Camden was in the center O
the city at the time, having moved aftel
the three alarms were sounded to Fiftl
and Arch streets.
Send for More Help
This company went to the carbarn
and q summons was Immediately sen
to the leather plant for more fremen
BY that time. the blaze on the rive
front was under control. and several o
the engine companies left the vicinit
for the second fire.
The carbarn is also situated in
thickly populated section. Residents O
the immediate vicinity moved from
their homes and formed a large crow
that grew rapidly as residents from
all sections of thc'city rushed to the fire
The car barn is a two story bricl
structure. The top is divided into of
fees and an auditorium for the EN-
ployes Of the company. The first foo
walls. In these sections cars are stored
The fire started in a car in one o
the four sections. 1t was discovered b,
4 Herbert Hemingway. who was placing
advertising placards in the troleys.
Waterman was notified, and he turne,
in the alarm. In the few minutes h
took to do this the flames had sprea'
throughout one end of the section
which was q mass of flames.
Joseph Chambers, a switchman, an
another employee of the place, succeeded
In getting twelve of the thirty cars il
that section to the street. The other
were destroyed.
Frank Goodwin, car inspector, whit
was working in q pit under one Of th
cars when the fire started, was ncarl!
suffocatcd by smoke before he sue
ccedcd in making his way to the street
BY o'clock the blaze was undo
control 1t was confined to the on
section. In all there were 225 cars il
the barn.
William Graham, superintendent o
the Camden division of the Publ
Service. Railways Company, prevente
any delay in the trolley service thi
morning by having old summer car
operated on these lines.
The superintendent stated that th
company would conduct an investi
cation.