Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-06
Is FAM|L|ES FLEE
IN FRONT ST. FIRE
Firemen Use Frankford Ele
waited for Ladders-loss
Estimated at $50,000
SIX OTHER BLAZ { S

Seven fires, with a combined damage
Of more than $50. 900. kept the Phila-
delphia Fire Department from having
dull Sunday yesterday. The most
spectacular blaze was at 32S North
Front street. which forced fifteen fam
lilies to fee to the streets.
The fire destroyed the wholesale and
retail fruit establishment Of Abe katZ
32S North Front street. and damaged
four adjoining properties. occupied by
fruit and provision merchants. The
loss is estimated at $50. 900. The first
use for the Frankford Elevated was
created by the firemcn. who climbed it
in place of ladders to fight the flames.
Shortly after o'clock Policeman
Roscnburg. Of the Fourth and Race
streets station. discovered flames com
ing from Katz's store. So fast did the
fire spread that when he returned from
sending in an alarm the whole building
was ablaze. and by the time the hrst
engines arrived the property at 52S1a,
occupied by Harry Colstcin. was burn.
ing. Two more alarms were sounded
Inter. The fire had then spread to
the establishments Of Max Brothers, at
$50; Abe Spector, at 332 Max Good
win, at 334, and n. Stow s Co., at
338.
Tons OF Water Used
Tons of water were thrown upon the
flames, which at :45 were under con-
tro! after Katz's place had been de-
stroyed and the properties next door
badly damaged.
In the rear Of these buildings is a
row Of tenement houses. The occu..
pants gathered their belongings and
fed in their night clothes. They were
compelled to camp in the street for
nearly an hour before being permitted
to return to their homes.
Three families occupy the dwelling
section of the building at 326 North
Front street. Although not touched by
the fire. the structure was filled with
smoke. Six fremen. in an effort to as
| certain IL all occupants had reached
| safety, were overcome, but were able
to escape to the street. and after be
ing treated by a police surgeon resumed
duty.
Residents in the vicinity report that
an explosion of sufficient force to rattle
windows occurred shortly before the fire
was discovered, but efforts to ascertain
its cause failed.
Tarffic on Market and Thirteenth
streets was blocked for twenty minutes
last night when fire started in the
rear of an army and navy store at 81
North Thirteenth street.
| Firemen. hampered by dense smoke
from burning rubber extinguished the
| flames before great damage was done.
The origin of the blaze is undeter-
mined.
! Quick work on the part of Acting
House Sergeant Fetters of the Sixty
/ fifth street and Woodland avenue po
lice station, prevented fire that started
in the store of ]. y. Winston. Mt 650I
! Woodland avenue, from doing serious
damage.
AS the sergeant was looking out of a
window in the station he noticed flames
coming from window in the store
| Without waiting TO summon aid Fct
ters sent in an alarm and aroused the
occupants Of the building. who were Mr.
and Mrs. Winston and Mr.. and Mrs. J
McDevitt. These two couples were able
to reach the street in safety. in their
night clothes. Despite the fact that
Engine Company No. 40 is stationed
across the street. the service of half Il
dozen companies were required 10 CX-
tinguish the flames that spread to all
parts Of the building.
The families of Samuel Kaplan aud
Abe Gensky were forced to Zee from
their beds when a blaze was discovered
in the basement of their store and resi-
dence at 412 South Sixtieth street.
Fire was discovered in the rear OF
he jewelry store of Jacob Blue at :23G4
kensington avenue last night
| Fireman Thomas Moore. Of Engine
Company No. Z. had his foot rut b,
glass and was taken to Frankford Hos
pital. The loss was estimated at $500
The reflection of blazing DUNN a
Broad and Geary streets. caused :
rumor about South philadelphia tina
the Navy Yard was afrc. shortly aftc
midnight yesterday. The dump cover
about ten acres. Sparks from n nearb,
railroad, famed by strong wind, ar
blamed for the blaze, which illuminate,
the sky for miles around.
Fire resulted from an overbestc
electric iron in the apartment of Mrs
A. Carpenter. 913 South Forty eight
street. yesterday. The flames we're cx
tinguished before serious damage wa
done.