Evening journal., 1921-03-05
Sl25,OOOLOSS
IN GARAGE fire
Continued from page one)

awakened from sleep by the glare
Of the flames. Riley ran TO Box 221.
at Lancaster avenue and Monroe
street. to send in the alarm. on
the way he met Patrolman Car
| towski, who was sending in a re-
port to police headquarters. Upon.
returning to the fire scene the off,
Ger forced open the garage doors
He was met by John Coyle, night
watchman at the warehouse. who
had discovered flames in the upper
| floors. When the doors were forced
open the flames appeared to sbe
leaping from the first floor through
the elevator shaft.
The fire had evidently been burn
ing for sometime, however, as Pa
trolman Joseph Powalski who was
at Second and Union streets at LOS
O'Clock saw the reflection of fire and
started to the Union fire company
headquarters to learn the loca-
ton of the fire. He had reached
the fire headquarters when the
alarm was sent in.
Fire Chief Lutz at the sounding
Of the first tap of the larm went to
Fourth and Jefferson streets to await
the arrival of his automobile and at
that time he said it was possible to
read a newspaper by the glare of the
flames. on reaching the fire scene,
Chief Lutz sent in a general alarm.
When the firemen arrived the in
terror of the building was in flames.
The fire soon leaped from the build
ing across the yards OF the dwellings
in Monroe street between Lancaster
avenue and Pleasant street forcing
the occupants of these to close their
shutters to keep the heat from
breaking the glass. The heat scared
the paint from the rear Of these
houses. The firemen directed their
efforts to saving the adjoining prop
critics and by their combined efforts,
they managed to check the fire.
The thousands of spectators who
watched the firemen in their work
were loud in their commentator.
At one time twenty streams were
playing on the flames. The water
tower Of the Delaware fire company
which was stationed in Lancaster
avenue did excellent work To
make the work Of the fremen more
hazardous, barrels Of oil on the first
floor Of the garage exploded, scat
tering the blaze.
Shortly after the second alarm
was sent in Assistant Chief Town
send with five men and a line OF
hose took up a position on the roof
of the two-story garage of Lieh
katz, and occupied by Sylvester
Healy, contractor. This building is
a short distance from the Coursen
building and the tons of water be-
ing poured onto the burning build
} ing ran over the roof of the Kat7
, property. Suddenly the rafters sup
porting the roof gave way and AS
? sistant Chief Townsend, hearing the
noise shouted to the firemen TO jump
| They did so in time to save their
3 lives as the roof collapRd a minute
later. wrecking a number Of auto
mobiles owned by Mr.. Healy.
The intense heat also threatened
to ignite the rear of the houses in
Pleasant STREET within a few feet OF
! the Coursen building. The firemen
!, however saved the properties. Tn,
. household effects OF Mrs. Mary Lock.
, erman, at S13 Pleasant street, wer,
moved into a stable on the opposite
: side OF the street and other residents
had started to prepare to move theii
effects. This work of the firemer
saved these dwellings as we'll a,
e those on Monroe street. The flames
J however made inroads on the stor,
and dwelling Of John Morono, 81
; Lancaster avenue, adjoining the
Coursen building. It was nearly gut
, ted.
While moving furniture from hi
y home Nelson Lockerman stepped OF
s glass, cutting his right foot. He wa
] removed to the Delaware Hospita
n in the police ambulance. and after
> having his injuries cared for wa
J taken TO the home OF his sister. %.
North Rodney street.
% The fire-fghting apparatus Of tn
% Amalgamated Leather Company
;. whose plant is opposite the Courser
!, building, were pressed into service
% The hose reels were run into Ian
70 caster avenue and under the direc
; ton OF Harry Shrade, company fir,
3, chief. the fire pumps Of the plan
a we're pressed into service and within
two minutes after the alarm ha,
been sounded two streams of water
capable OF 1000 gallons a minute
- were being pumped into the burn
= ing building.
l. About 80 police. under Sergean
DOnohoe, were detailed to the seen
d and roped of the area about tn
p building. forcing all except mem
= bers OF the companies to stay be
Il yond the safety lines
l. Mrs. Jennie Mclaughlin. 81
Pleasant street. who was awak
when the first alarm was strucl
I went to her bedroom window an
saw a man break into the garag
from the Pleasant street side. A
! the doors fell in dense clouds q
smoke poured out. The next instar
tongues OF flames leaped across IN
! street.
Mr. Coursey the owner of IN
| warehouse and garage, is in Wash
ington. According to Coyie. IN
| watchman, the building was value
at $4,000, exclusive of the 80 q
| more automobiles stored there.
! 1t was said the property OF M
Coursen and the autos were partl
Il LOO -