NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY

by Hank Przybylowicz

A Look Back… 100 Years Ago…

April, 1909

Here’s the NFD of the 21st century… the most modern of firefighting equipment… men of a strong caliber… and some of the same problems experienced by their forefathers a century ago.

Ever wonder what was going on in the NFD a century ago? Let’s step into the Newark Fire History time machine and take a look, shall we?

We shall set the month to April, and the year to 1909… and see what was going on 100 years ago…

April 1 - Thursday

        During the evening, Rev. James T. Sheehan, rector of the Church of the Sacred Heart, was walking to the church, at 6th Avenue and Ridge Street, when he noticed a strange light in the basement of the Newark High School (Barringer High School), which sat opposite the church along Ridge Street. A boy, who was also passing the school, noticed the glow at about the same time.

        Making an investigation, Father Sheehan found the basement to be on fire, and sent the boy quickly to his home to phone the fire department. The boy got through to Engine 15, at their Park Avenue quarters, who then notified the Fire Alarm Operators to transmit an alarm for the school.

        At 21:30 hours, Box 127 was transmitted for 5th Avenue (Park Avenue) and Parker Street, turning out Engines 15, 9, and 4, and Truck 7. The quick discovery and actions by Father Sheehan were credited with preventing any serious damage done by the blaze. Damages were set at $78 ($1,904).The cause of the fire was attributed to spontaneous combustion.

April 2 - Friday

        Joseph Blasi, 17, of 88 Garden Street, between McWhorter and Pacific Streets, appeared before Judge Ten Eyck, in the Court of Quarter Sessions, in answer to two charges of arson made against him by Police Captain Peter J. Christie, of the Third Precinct. He was arrested March 27 after an investigation of two suspicious fires at his residence, on March 23 and 26, revealed his involvement. He pleaded guilty to the charges, but was unable to furnish the $500 bail ($12,205). He was remanded in custody until his sentencing on April 5.

        The fire on March 23 was lit by him during the afternoon under the front steps of the three-story frame, duplex tenement he lived in. It was quickly discovered and extinguished with a pail of water. Realizing that a fire during the daytime was prone to be quickly spotted, he waited until shortly after midnight on March 26, when everyone was asleep. He quietly crept down the stairs, and once again lit a fire under the front steps.

        As with the first fire, he ran back upstairs to his room, and dressed in a fireman’s outfit, complete with a short piece of rubber hose and a hatchet. He then went back downstairs to watch the fire and prepare to fight it at the proper time. Instead, he found a policeman at the door, along with William Rosnagle, of 44 Nichols Street, a passerby who quickly discovered the blaze, once again thwarting Blasi’s firefighting fantasy.

        After being questioned, by the officer, he was let go. However, Patrolman Brex and Miller had a different feeling, and arrested the boy after questioning him later that day, when he admitted to setting the fires.

April 4 - Sunday
        The Wilkinson & Gaddis Co. was a cold storage and grain elevator facility that occupied the entire triangular block bounded by New Jersey Railroad Avenue (McCarter Highway), Parkhurst Street, and Tichenor Lane. A fire apparently started in the boiler room of the warehouse and had gained much headway before being discovered by a watchman, who then turned in an alarm, at 00:36 hours, from Box 326, at Murray Street and Tichenor Lane.

        Arriving firefighters found the warehouse, a power house, and an adjoining grain elevator heavily involved in fire, which was threatening to spread to the nearby Baker Smelting Co., Krueger Hygiene Ice Co., and Holland Shirt Co. factories. This prompted an immediate request for a second alarm.

        The burning grain made for a very smoky and stubborn fight for firefighters. With the windows being so high off the ground, firefighters were compelled to battle the blaze from nearby rooftops. The loss of the warehouse, elevator, and more than 40,000 bushels of oats, totaled over $150,000 ($3.7 million). It was reported that it was quite a spectacular fire, which drew a large crowd. The elevator was built on the site of another, which had been destroyed by fire some 15 years prior.

        Later that night, at 18:21 hours, firefighters were called back to the scene when the smoldering ruins reignited and threatened to spread to nearby exposures. After an hour’s hard fight, firefighters brought the blaze under control. The cause of the fire was attributed to the spontaneous combustion of oily waste.

April 4 - Sunday

        Shortly before 20:00 hours, smoke was seen issuing from the door of the blacksmith shop of the Balbach Smelting & Refining Co., at 20 Polk Street, between Market Street and Passaic Avenue (Raymond Boulevard). An alarm was sent in from Box 56, at Market and Ferguson Streets, at 19:40 hours.

        Despite the prompt alarm and arrival of firefighters, the fire had gained great headway in the frame structure. Seeing the building was doomed, firefighters turned their attention toward keeping the fire from extending to the adjoining buildings. It took almost an hour to bring the blaze under control, but the shop was destroyed, at an estimated loss of $1,931 ($47,137). The cause of the fire was unknown.

April 5 - Monday

        Shortly after 10:00 hours, two back-to-back alarms rang in. The first, at 10:01 hours, was from Box 16, at Washington and Bleecker Streets, to which the main force of the Salvage Corps responded in their motorized wagon. On the heels of that alarm, at 10:10 hours, Box 79 rang in from Bloomfield Avenue and 4th Street. The remaining members of the Salvage Corps dashed to the emergency wagon and the harnesses were dropped on the two horses.

        As the driver prepared to climb to the seat, the horses bolted. The driver made a leap for the reins, but only caught one, his pull steering the horses to the right, causing them to graze the door as they galloped full speed out onto Washington Street. At the corner of Campbell Street sat a French Bakery wagon, owned by Achille Basilea, of 955 Broad Street. As the Salvage wagon team sped on, the rear wheel caught the rear wheel of the bakery wagon, spinning the horse and wagon 20 feet around onto Campbell Street. The horse was knocked to its knees and suffered wounds about the head.

        Pursuing the runaway wagon, one of the members was able to jump onto the rear after it collided with the bakery wagon. He then crawled to the driver’s seat and got to the reins just as the runaway team was about to collide with another wagon on Washington Street, between Campbell and Market Streets. It was theorized that had the second wagon not been in their path, the team may have galloped out to Market Street, where they may have run into pedestrians or a street car.

        The alarm to which they were responding caused considerable excitement when a fire in a woodpile at 535 4th Street, between Bloomfield and 2nd Avenues, threatened to spread to the factories in the area. The blaze was quickly extinguished before it could cause any more than $25 ($610) damage. The cause of the fire was attributed to boys playing with fire.

        The first alarm had been called in for a fire in the home of Mrs. Matilda Puder, at 78 Bleecker Street, between High Street (King Boulevard) and Plane Street (University Avenue), who had turned the flame of her oil stove down and was just getting ready to leave the room, when the stove suddenly exploded. The burning oil immediately ignited a curtain near the door and the bed covers. Frank Ward, who owned a grocery store at Plane and Bleecker Streets, phoned in the alarm.

        When firefighters arrived, they found the bedroom a mass of flames. Quick work by firefighters kept the flames from spreading, but not before the room was gutted. Losses were placed at $375 ($9,154). Mrs. Puder was uninjured by the blast. The house was owned by James Tytler.

April 7 - Wednesday

        During the afternoon meeting of the Fire Board, Thomas Linnett, Jr., representing the Clinton Hill Improvement Association, appeared before the board to request a truck company be placed in service in the most congested part of Clinton Hill. Linnett remarked that the nearest ladder truck was Truck 5, which was too far away to render any effective service.

        President Burke informed him that Chief Astley had recommended that a truck company be placed in service in the area of Hawthorne Avenue and Bergen Street. Linnett replied that it would not be a good location as it would be too far away from the area where it was needed most. Commissioner Stratton advised Mr. Linnett that if he could get the Common Council to erect a new firehouse where it would do the most good, the board would leave nothing undone in placing a truck company in service. Mt. Linnett advised he would see what could be done in that direction.

        In other business, the board advised they will be adding a dozen new men to the department at their next meeting. This was to provide for the new truck, Truck Co. 8, that was being placed in service. A captain and two lieutenants would also be named.

        Roy Faitoute was appointed to act as a clerk for the Superintendent of Fire Risks, C. Albert Gasser. His salary was set at $7 ($171) per week.

        The board accepted an invitation to attend the laying of the cornerstone for the Exempt Firemen’s Association building on June 14. Chief Astley was also given power to detail firefighters and apparatus for the parade on that day if he could spare the men and machines.

        A new fire badge was to be adopted for use by news reporters and others who are called to the scene of fires.

       The annual report of the board was received and the recommendations of Chief Astley for more fire companies and a fireboat on the Passaic River were approved.

        The board announced that they will be advertising for bids for an automobile for Chief Astley.

April 8 - Thursday

        At 21:17 hours, firefighters turned out in answer to an alarm from Box 73, at Summer and 7th Avenues. On arrival, they were directed to the home of Albert Scull, 51 7th Avenue, between High Street (King Boulevard) and Summer Avenue, where they found a small fire caused by hot coals in an ashbox that had been placed near a large icebox at the rear of the residence. Damage was trifling.

April 8 - Thursday

        Reserve horse #99, died at the quarters of Truck 2 due to an attack of gastro-enteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It is an acute condition that is common among younger horses.

April 9 - Friday

        It would prove to be a busy Good Friday for Newark’s Bravest. At 01:00 hours, Pennsylvania Railroad employees were shunting a string of coaches down an eastbound track to a siding, at New Jersey Railroad Avenue and Walnut Street. Suddenly, a fast freight, headed eastbound, smashed headlong into the passenger coaches. The last car of the passenger train and the first car of the freight climbed the freight locomotive, forming a triangle. Both cars immediately burst into flames from the engine.

        An alarm was turned in from Box 35, at New Jersey Railroad Avenue and Elm Street, bringing Newark fire crews to the scene. The crew of the freight train: George F. Franklin, engineer, and John O’Neill, fireman, jumped for their lives when they saw the crash was inevitable, both sustaining slight injuries. O’Neill was transported to Saint James’ Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment of cuts and bruises. The windows of all the passenger coaches were blown out by the force of the impact, and the third coach was telescoped.

        Immediately following the crash, a wrecking crew was dispatched from Jersey City. The crew reached the scene a half-hour after the crash, and had all evidence of the crash cleared by 07:00 hours. One of the smashed freight cars was loaded with $500 ($12,205) worth of clams, which became scattered all over the tracks. When the neighborhood learned of this, a mad frenzy ensued as people climbed onto the tracks to retrieve them. Police had to be called to the scene to clear the tracks and restore order.

        At 03:25 hours, firefighters turned out to answer an alarm from Box 31, at Thomas and Mulberry Streets, which had been turned in for a fire at Mitchell, Mallon & Co.’s varnish works, 317-19 New Jersey Railroad Avenue, at Mulberry Street. One of the large varnish tanks had boiled over and set fire to the surrounding woodwork. An aggressive attack by Newark Blazebeaters kept the fire from spreading to adjacent rooms. Damages were set at $2,095 ($51,141).

        Salvatore Peters, of 329 Market Street, was hired to do wallpapering in a vacant building at 79 Frelinghuysen Avenue, at Vanderpool Street, and took his son, Peter, 7, along with him for company. While working in a front room on the second floor, they suddenly discovered an odor of smoke, followed rapidly by flames from an unknown cause. The father became frightened and ran downstairs, but Peter froze in place, and was soon rendered unconscious by the smoke. Someone spotted the blaze, and at 10:12 hours, turned in an alarm from Box 225, at Frelinghuysen Avenue and Earl Street.

        As the boy’s father stood in the street crying about his son, Fourth Battalion Chief McDermitt, arrived at the scene, just prior to any apparatus. Hearing of the lad’s plight, McDermit wasted no time in dashing up the stairs through flame and smoke, and found the unconscious boy lying on the floor, barely breathing. He picked up the child and raced back down the stairs, taking the boy to safety.

        When a police patrol wagon arrived at the scene, the child was loaded aboard and rushed to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where he was revived. The burns on his face and hands were treated and bandaged, and he was sent home. The building was owned and occupied by Salvatore Pitorio. Damages were placed at $700 ($17,088).

        A short time later, at about 10:50 hours, John Magee, an employee at the Union Ice Co.’s Boyden Street depot spotted two young boys playing around the barn of H. W. Bahrenburg & Bro., at the rear of 179 Orange Street, between Boyden and Sheffield Streets. Shortly after, he noticed that the hay stored in the barn was ablaze, and turned in an alarm from Box 72, at Orange and Boyden Streets, at 10:53 hours.

        Firefighters made short work of the blaze, but not before $300 ($7,323) worth of damage had been done. The building was owned by William Leavitt. The boys were later found and admitted that they had matches in their possession, which led to the cause of the fire.

        As if the excitement over the fire in the neighborhood wasn’t enough, it doubled when sparks landed on the roof of 177 Orange Street, causing the shingles to ignite. A panicked area resident turned in another alarm for the fire, once again from Box 72, bringing a double assignment of fire apparatus to the scene. The fire was quickly extinguished, causing only $15 ($366) damage. The house was owned by Charles Small, and occupied by William Freeman.

        Two more box alarms and three still alarms kept Newark’s Blazebeaters hopping throughout the rest of the day for chimney, brush, and small structure fires.

        At 20:01 hours, an alarm from Box 38, at Clinton and Mulberry Streets, turned out firefighters once again. They were directed to 257 Market Street, between Mulberry and Lawrence Streets, where they found a small fire involving rubbish in the basement of the crockery store run by Frederick Block. Short work was made of the blaze before any damage was done. The building was part of the Condit Estate.

        One more alarm at 21:12 hours, brought the total for the day to eight box alarm and three still alarms, which was a busy day back then.

April 10 - Saturday

        While Good Friday was a busy day for the NFD, Saturday proved to be even busier, with 12 alarms being answered, nine of them occurring within a five hour period.

        The first alarm of the day was at 00:34 hours, from Box 422, at 8th Avenue and John Street, which was found to be false. The rest of the early morning was quiet, until about 11:00 hours, when Newark’s Bravest would begin their busy five-hour period.

        The first alarm of the period came when a person ran into the quarters of Engine 7 to report a fire at the residence owned by Joseph Schaedel, at 322 Warren Street (West Market Street), at Bruce Street. Engine 7’s home box, Box 7, was struck at 10:57 hours. A fire had been caused on the top floor of the large, 2-1/2-story frame dwelling by a defective chimney flue, resulting in $238 ($5,810) worth of damage. Mrs. George Sommers occupied the second floor, while Mrs. Albert Smith occupied the third. George Clark and A. Van Somersen were also occupants.

        The next alarm came at 12:44 hours when a passer-by saw thought he saw smoke coming from a window at 319 Broad Street, between Clark Street and Belleville Avenue (Broadway), and turned in an alarm from Box 423, at Broad Street and Belleville Avenue. Firefighters found no fire, but they did find a gas leak. The building was owned by Samuel Walters, and occupied by William Hull.

        At the same time Newark’s Bravest were turning out to Broad Street, the gongs started clanging out Box 669, which was at South Orange and Sanford Avenues, in Vailsburg. The alarm was turned in for a brush fire in a wooded area.

        The next alarm was turned in a short time later, at 13:01 hours, when someone saw smoke coming from the cellar windows at Market and Halsey Streets, and sent in an alarm from Box 24, at Market and Washington Streets. The smoke proved to be caused by the burning of waste paper.

        At 13:50 hours, an alarm from Box 251, at Clinton Avenue and Osborne Terrace, was turned in for a brush fire at 79 Farley Avenue, between Madison and Clinton Avenues. The back taps had no longer sounded for this alarm when Box 37 rang in, at 14:05 hours, from Hamilton and Columbia Streets.

        On arrival, firefighters were directed to a dwelling 18 Liberty Street, between Hamilton and Lafayette Streets, where they found a clothes closet on fire, which resulted in a $50 ($1,221) loss.

        At 14:30 hours, a still alarm was sent out for a bonfire at 49 Green Street, between Maple Place and Mulberry Street. The busy period ended at 16:14 hours, when Box 623, at South Orange Avenue and Newton Street, was pulled for a chimney fire at 117 Newton Street, between South Orange and 13th Avenues. The fire was quickly extinguished before any damage was done.

        The next four hours were quiet, until 20:29 hours, when an alarm was turned in from Box 588, at Ferry and Brill Streets. Firefighters found a chimney fire at 50 Richards Street, between Bowery Street (Fleming Avenue) and Ferry Street. Once again, it was quickly doused before any damage was done.

        As the chimney fire was being extinguished, the largest fire of the day was occurring on Hartford Street. At 20:45 hours, Box 137, at Warren Street (West Market Street) and 1st Street, was pulled for a fire on Hartford Street between Morris Avenue and 1st Street. The fire involved several large frame sheds in the rear of John S. Geiger & Son, at 95-99 Hartford Street. Also damaged was the frame dwelling owned and occupied by Edward L. Dodd, at 101 Hartford Street. Total damages amounted to $1,929 ($47,088). The cause of the blaze was unknown.

        As Newark’s Bravest were just beginning to make their attack on the Hartford Street fire, the final alarm for the day came in at 20:55 hours, from Box 526, at Adams and Elm Streets. Arriving firefighters were directed to the dwelling owned by Arthur Bruen, at 281 Walnut Street, between Jefferson and Adams Streets, where they found a small fire of unknown origin. The fire was quickly extinguished, with $75 ($1,831) worth of damage done. M. Leary was the occupant.

April 11 - Sunday

        Easter Sunday offered no respite for Newark’s Bravest as they were kept on the run for the third day in a row. The first alarm of the day, at 05:00 hours, was from Box 47, at Spring Street opposite 8th Avenue.

        The alarm was turned in for a fire in the residence of Michael McCormick, at 373 Ogden Street (McCarter Highway), between Clay and Cross Streets. The blaze was caused by careless smoking, and resulted in $48 ($1,172). The building was owned by Christian Gisch.

        At 09:34 hours, the second run brought firefighters to the home of George J. Althen, at 710 Degraw Avenue, between Elwood Avenue and Heller Parkway, where a fire had been caused by a lighted cigarette. An alarm had been turned in from Box 429, at Highland Avenue and Heller Parkway. This fire proved to be the most serious of the day, causing $1,034 ($25,241) in damages.

        The third turnout, at 11:40 hours, was from Box 721, at Sussex Avenue and Norfolk Street. The box was pulled It for a chimney fire at the home of Peter Braun, Jr., a butcher, of 137 Sussex Avenue, at Newark Street. The fire resulted in $33 ($806) damage.

        The afternoon quieted down and it wasn’t until 19:02 hours that the next alarm was answered. A still alarm had been sent to the home of Allessandra Capria, at 87 High Street (King Boulevard), between Crane Street and 7th Avenue, for a chimney fire. The fire was extinguished before any damage could be done.

        At 19:40 hours, another still alarm was sent to Lafayette Street, between Union and Prospect Streets, where a spark had ignited an oil tank. There was no damage.

        At 21:04 hours, Box 72 was struck, at Orange and Boyden Streets. On arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the office of the Thorn Bros. Coal Co., at 100 Boyden Street, between Orange and James Streets, but an investigation revealed it was only a bundle of rags burning in the basement, causing a whole lot more smoke than fire. The cause of the blaze was attributed to spontaneous combustion. It was quickly extinguished before any damage was done.

        The final alarm of the day came in at 22:04 hours, from Box 615, at 15th Avenue and Camden Street, which proved to be false… an anti-climactic end to a hectic Easter holiday for Newark’s Bravest.

        In three days, they answered 30 alarms, 24 of which were bell alarms and the remaining six being stills. It was more than all the alarms answered in the first eight days of the month combined, and it would take another eight days for the same amount of alarms to be answered.

April 13 - Tuesday

        At 02:28 hours, an alarm was turned in from Box 637, at South Orange Avenue and Howard Street, when a fire was discovered in the dwelling occupied by Max. C. Brodzky, at 23 South Orange Avenue, between Springfield Avenue and Howard Street. Firefighters were able to confine the flames to a partition separating the house from an adjoining apartment. The owner, Isaac Beck, reported damages of $291 ($7,104).

April 16 - Friday

        Just before 08:00 hours, a freight train was being side-tracked on the Greenwood Lake Bridge of the Erie Railroad, between Washington Avenue (Broadway) and Summer Avenue, when a carboy of muriatic acid exploded, causing 13 others to follow suit and set fire to the freight car. At 07:42 hours, an alarm was turned in from Box 437, at Washington and Verona Avenues, bringing Newark’s Bravest to the scene, who were able to quickly bring the blaze under control before it consumed the entire car. The property was occupied by the DuPont Powder Works, and damages were placed at $500 ($12,205).

April 19 - Monday

        At about 20:00 hours, William Oechler discovered the frame barn of John Needham, at the rear of 53-55 Brill Street, between Ferry Street and Bowery Street (Fleming Avenue), to be on fire. He quickly notified Needham, who looked out his window and saw flames bursting out from all sides. He immediately rushed out to the barn and forced the hinges off the outside door in order to rescue the three horses inside. The animals, which belonged to John Rice, were led to safety.

        An alarm was turned in from Box 588, at Ferry and Brill Streets, at 20:05 hours, and firefighters were successful in keeping the blaze confined to the barn. Losses were placed at $1,000 ($24,411). Several hours later, firefighters found themselves back at the ruins after the blaze rekindled. This time, however, the flames were easily extinguished.

        At 21:50 hours, an alarm was sent in from Box 539, at Chapel and Bowery Streets, when a fire was discovered in Nathaniel Bossert’s frame wagon factory, at the rears of 539 Ferry Street, and 10-12 Lentz Avenue. The blaze was quickly extinguished and was attributed to defective insulation on electric wires. Damages were placed at about $50 ($1,221).

        Six hours later, at 04:10 hours, another alarm from Box 539 was turned in for a fire in the same factory. This time, however, firefighters found a much more dangerous fire, in that the entire roof and side wall of the factory were ablaze. It was believed that a spark may have fallen in a box of sawdust, and smoldered until fanned to life by a good breeze. Damages for the second blaze were placed at $500 ($12,205).

April 21 - Wednesday

        At the afternoon meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners, a strong appeal was made by a delegation of citizens from the Vailsburg Improvement Association for an automobile fire engine in that part of the city, in place of the combination chemical engine and hose wagon that was in service at the time.

        William H. Koyer, spokesman, said that the organization had made a thorough investigation of the matter and had found that the city could save about $50,000 ($1.2 million) by the operation. “About a year ago,” said Mr. Koyer, “we appealed to you for another fire company for our section and got $2,000 ($48,822) placed in the tax levy to purchase the lot for the firehouse. Since then, the automobile fire engine has come to stay, and from what we have seen of it, we are satisfied it will meet all of the needs for fire protection for a number of years.”

        He continued, “The combination hose wagon and chemical company now located there, does not fill the bill as the water pressure is too poor to admit of effective service, whereas the auto engine would do as much work as a second-class steam engine. We figure that to build another firehouse would cost $2,000 ($48,822) for the ground, $27,000 ($659,091) for a house, $5,000 ($122,054) for an engine, $3,500 ($85,438) for a hose wagon, $1,800 ($43,939) for fire horses, $900 ($21,970) to feed them, and $10,000 ($244,108) to man the company. That would make about $50,000. An automobile engine would cost about $8,000 ($195,286) and it would replace the hose wagon in Engine Company No. 21. It would save the city $42,000 ($1 million) or more.”

        President Burke replied, “Your arguments are good, but we cannot do much for you unless you can get the money, and my advice to you would be to see the finance committee of the Common Council and get the necessary funds.” Mr. Koyer said he would act on that suggestion without delay.

        The board appointed a dozen new men that were to man Truck 8 when it went into service: Anthony F. Haggerty, of 177 Sussex Avenue; Henry Poole, of 837 Broad Street; Hugo Broch, of 90 11th Avenue; George Schmiedle, of 485 15th Avenue; Joseph Moehler, of 2590 Fairmount Avenue; Robert W. Hendrick, of 82 4th Street; Roman J. Schmidt, of 82 Kossuth Street; John F. Cahill, of 566 South 10th Street; Charles Brogan, of 55 2nd Street; William C. Langwasser, of 99 Central Avenue; Emil Buhrer, of 622 South 20th Street, and William Drucker, of 444 Morris Avenue. They held the rank of fourth grade firefighter and would enter the department on May 5. The captain and lieutenant would be selected at an adjourned meeting that would be held on Wednesday, April 28.

        A letter was received from the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association asking permission to play the members of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association a game of baseball for the benefit of the Star’s outing fund for sick babies. The request was granted and was referred to the commissioners and to Chief Astley.

        Commissioner Stratton suggested that Firefighters Martin Koppe, of Engine 3, and George M. Sanders, of Truck 8, be assigned to assist Superintendent of Combustibles & Fire Risks, C. Albert Gasser, because of the large increase in the duties of that office. The question was referred to Commissioner Weber, as chairman of the committee on transfers, as Chief Astley had expressed himself as being opposed to it, because the men could not be spared.

        In closing, the board ordered that the vacations of the members of the department commence June 1, and be the same amount of days as it was the previous year.

April 24 - Saturday

        At 02:10 hours, an alarm was turned in from Box 37, at Hamilton and Columbia Streets, for a fire in the carriage factory of Daniel Delaney & Sons, at 51-59 Hamilton Street, at Liberty Street. When firefighters arrived, they found one corner of the roof burning briskly, and being fanned by high winds. A chemical line was quickly stretched and put into operation, bringing the blaze under control in short time.

        The fire was between the boards of the roof, and the cause was attributed to an overheated chimney, as immediately below the roof was a small furnace that may have ignited the woodwork during the night. Damages were placed at $60 ($1,465).

April 25 - Sunday

        During the morning, Mrs. Max Meyer went to the rear of her husband’s grocery store, at 82 Lillie Street, between 17th and 18th Avenues, to get oil from a tank. Using a match to light her way, she got the oil and then threw the match to the floor, where it ignited some papers.

        An alarm was immediately turned in from Box 68, at 18th Avenue and Boyd Street, at 09:42 hours, but there was great excitement and concern in the neighborhood about the oil tank exploding, until firefighters arrived and quickly quenched the flames. The blaze caused about $100 ($2,441) in damage. The property was part of the Frank Nemschek Estate.

April 26 - Monday

The Monday, April 26 edition of “The Evening Star” carried the following story:

PLANS FOR BIG FIREMEN’S FETE NEARLY COMPLETE

Celebrations of Exempts and Volunteer Fighters on June 14

THOUSANDS EXPECTED TO MARCH IN PARADE

Feature of Fete to Be Laying of Corner-Stone of New Headquarters

        Firemen’s Day, June 14!

        That is the day that every exempt and volunteer fireman in the State is looking forward to. On that day the corner-stone of the Newark Exempt Firemen’s Association’s new quarters, at Fourteenth street and Springfield avenue, will be laid, and then will come the parade, the biggest thing of its kind that has ever been held in the State. It is expected that there will be thousands of firemen in line, with engines, hose-carts, hook and ladder trucks -- in fact, every known appliance for fighting fire.

        The arrangement committee, consisting of William R. Price, David E. Benedict, Charles Coughlin, John Vandyne, Thomas P. Watt, William Schmidt, William D. Dougal, John W. Smith, Charles J. Hamberger, sr., Charles E. Mackraith and Louis Hauser, chairman, has worked hard.

        The details this committee have taken care of are enormous. The visiting firemen must have sleeping quarters, food and entertainment. The committee has rented nearly every hall in Newark for the visitors. The Collosseum, Springfield avenue, Kember’s Park, in Fourteenth street, and the Fram Garden, being near the new building of the Exempt Association, will be used to feed and quarter as many guests as possible. The unused firehouses in Halsey street will be used, and every room in every hotel and every boarding house will be filled to overflowing.

        The officers of the Exempt Firemen’s Association are: President, Charles E. Mackraith; vice-president, David E. Benedict; secretary, Charles E. Hamburger, sr.; treasurer, William T. Frey. The present headquarters are in Centre street.

April 27 - Tuesday

        At 12:23 hours, an alarm from Box 326, at Murray Street and Tichenor Lane, brought firefighters on the run. Once again, on arrival they found a working fire on the property of the Wilkinson, Gaddis & Company. This time, however, it involved the provisions warehouse, a two-story brick building, measuring 200-by-60-feet.

        The fire had gained great headway, and continued to spread rapidly throughout the building. Deputy Chief Joseph E. Sloan, one of the first to arrive at the fire, promptly transmitted a second alarm; followed quickly by a third, when he saw the scope of the blaze.

        This brought a dozen engines, three trucks, and the water tower to the scene, along with Chief Engineer Astley, and Battalion Chiefs Morgan, Exall, and McDermit. All of the companies, except for the water tower, were put to work, and within 15 minutes of the first alarm, there were streams of water being played into every window and doorway of the building.

        The initial flames spread so quickly that they trapped Jacob Dolch, a janitor, in the building. Superintendent Henry S. Martin, of the Salvage Corps, who was one of the first to arrive at the scene, ran into the blazing warehouse and brought the man out. He was rushed to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where he was admitted suffering burns and smoke inhalation. Firefighter Emil Kramer, of Engine 5, also had a close call, but kept right on working and refused to go home. He reported being a bit stiff and sore the next day, however.

        The warehouse, adjoining the grain elevator that was destroyed in a two-alarm fire on April 4, had sustained minor damage during that blaze. Firefighters were commended in their fight to keep the fire confined to the building of origin, which was stocked with groceries and provisions of all kinds. The battle to bring the blaze under control lasted two hours, but the last fire companies did not leave the scene until 22:00 hours.

        After the fire was brought under control, Mrs. Edith McIntee, and Mrs. Clara Flynn, who barely made it to safety when the building first caught fire, reported that they were forced to leave in such a hurry they left their pocketbooks behind. Firefighters entered the smoldering ruins, found the handbags, and returned them to the grateful women.

        The cause of the blaze was not known, but it was thought that a careless smoker may have discarded a match on the way out to lunch, which ignited some papers or rubbish. Losses were placed at $46,340 ($1.1 million).

        The next day, company officials reported that a new, fireproof building would be built on the site of the gutted structure as soon as the insurance claims were adjusted.

April 27 - Tuesday

        Later in the night, several fires kept firefighters and police officers busy. At about 20:30 hours, Vito Deluscia went to the cellar of the house he lived in, at 297 Morris Avenue, at 14th Avenue, and found rags burning. The fire was quickly extinguished before any damage was done.

        A short time later, Mrs. Kate Dober, of 408 South 6th Street, between Springfield and 16th Avenues, took a lit candle with her as she went to get some wood and coal from the cellar. She dropped the candle into a box of papers, which ignited rapidly. Box 616, at Springfield Avenue and Magnolia Street was struck at 20:57 hours, and firefighters made short work of the blaze before it could spread.

        Less than hour after the first fire at 14th and Morris Avenues, at 21:15 hours, an alarm from Box 619, at 14th and Morris Avenues, brought firefighters to 49 14th Avenue, between Morris Avenue and Bruce Street, where they found rubbish burning in the cellar. This fire caused $113 ($2,758) in damage before being extinguished. This building was owned by Ramaglia & Remondelli, and occupied by D. Addonino. Both fires were listed as being of incendiary nature, and police immediately went to work investigating the blazes.

        Later in the night, Patrolman Patrick Durkin, of the First Precinct, was walking his beat when he discovered smoke coming from the basement in a row of wooden houses at 296 and 298 Market Street, at Ward Street. Upon investigating, he found a small fire burning briskly in the rafters. At about the same time, he was joined by Henry Simon, who lived in the rear. Both men formed a bucket brigade and worked diligently, successfully extinguishing the flames after a half-hour. The fire had burned a hole in the ceiling and in the flooring above. The fire started immediately above a lighted gas jet, where a piece of tin was used to act as a sort of protector, had worked loose.

April 27 - Tuesday

        Captain Stephen H. McKain, of Engine 19, tendered his resignation to the Fire Board, to take effect June 1. He had been under medical treatment for two months, and upon the advice of his doctor, he decided to retire. The board scheduled to act on it the next day.

        McKain was appointed to the NFD on July 2, 1880, and assigned to Engine 4. He was transferred to Engine 10 on June 1, 1889, and promoted to lieutenant of that company on August 10, 1889. On May 19, 1905, he was transferred back to Engine 4. On July 1, 1906, he was promoted to captain and assigned to Engine 19.

        Captain McKain had a clean record during his 29-year career. The board reported they would now have two captains to make, along with three lieutenants. It was planned to make one captain and one lieutenant the next day, which would be for Truck 8, which was scheduled to go into service on May 5.

April 28 - Wednesday

        During an afternoon meeting of the Fire Board, two members of Truck 5 were promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Firefighters Oscar Kaelberer and William J. Saupe, were first and second on the civil service list. Kaelberer was appointed to the department on March 6, 1905, and Saupe on June 8, 1902. It was the first time in NFD history that two men were promoted from the same company, at the same time.

        The board scheduled to meet the next night, when they would make one, possibly two, captains, and make out the budget for the year. Lieutenant Edwin A. Crossman, of Truck 1 was first on the captain’s list, followed by Lieutenant Denis Guidera, of Truck 3.

        The resignation of Captain Stephen H. McKain, of Engine 19, who was retiring due to illness, was accepted. President Burke remarked that McKain had never been brought up on charges during his 29-year career, and that the department was losing a good man. The last order of business was to appoint John Ward to the reserve stable to fill a vacancy.

April 29 - Thursday

        At 21:41 hours, an alarm was turned in from Box 342, in Wharton & Co.’s hat factory, 146 Commerce Street, between Lawrence Street and Railroad Place, for a fire in the drying room. It was believed that fuzz from the hats spontaneously ignited, as the drying room sat directly above the boiler room. Damages were placed at $5 ($122).

April 30 - Friday

        It was reported that the new fire department training stable and repair shop, on Prospect Street, was finished and was ready to be turned over to the city by the contractors and architects. It was said to be “the finest and most substantial building of its kind in the country,” as every convenience for the caring of sick horses, and training of new ones, and the repair of apparatus, had been carefully provided for. Several days earlier, the Fire Board inspected the new building and were very pleased with it.

        The building was constructed of brick, steel, and concrete, and was made as near fire-proof that a building could be at the time. The building cost about $100,000 ($2.4 million). When architects J.H. and Wilson C. Ely were given the order to draw up plans for the structure, they first inspected all of the training stables and repair shops of the fire departments in the largest eastern cities, and used the best ideas from each one.

        The building committee of the Common Council was to inspect the structure in a few days, and if they approved of it, it would be accepted and turned over to the fire department.

April 30 - Friday

        During the night meeting of the Fire Board, it was uncovered that the fire department annual budget had passed the $600,000 ($14.7 million) mark and that there were still many more items to be included.

        Based on an unofficial complaint to the board by Commissioner Arthur E. Denman, of the Board of Works, who stated that the method of stringing fire alarm wires overhead interfered with the street, water, and sewer employees, it was decided to bury the fire alarm cables in 45 thoroughfares during 1909 alone. The commissioners discovered this would add another $23,573 ($575,435) to the year’s budget.

        Fire Alarm Superintendent Adam Bosch presented a report to the board in which he stated that the cables could be run through the conduits used by the telephone company with great advantage to the service. It was also believed that the burial of the cables would remedy a great deal of the false alarm troubles.

        Two other major budget items included the maintenance of running the new stable and repair shop on Prospect Street, which was scheduled to be turned over to them the following week, and the cost of the equipment to place Truck 8 in service. The cost of these two items was unknown, and it was decided to meet the following night to complete the budget.