THE  LAST  ALARM

FOREMAN JACOB ALLEN

LAFAYETTE ENGINE CO. 4

MAY 28, 1857

At 03:30 hours, a watchman discovered smoke billowing from the fourth floor of one of the large, four-story, frame buildings of the Newark India Rubber Co., at High Street (King Boulevard) and Warren Street, and immediately gave the alarm. Due to unknown circumstances, valuable time was lost, as the watchman in the fire tower did not transmit the alarm for some time. It was only after much clamor in the streets by throngs of on-lookers, who were awakened by the fire, that the alarm was finally sounded. Even then, the watchman turned out the wrong companies, thereby furthering the delay of fire apparatus reaching the scene.

 When firemen finally arrived, they found the structure, which was used to vulcanize shoes, heavily involved in fire. As it appeared that the fire was going to spread throughout the complex, they immediately went to work covering exposures. Their efforts would be credited with having kept the fire from spreading throughout the crowded residential and commercial area.

A map showing where the Newark India Rubber Works was located, with High Street running along the
top of the map. Between the factory complex and Academy Street, can be seen the Morris Canal.

At the height of the general-alarm blaze, it was remarked to Foreman Jacob Allen, of Lafayette Engine Co. 4, that the main chimney of the plant looked unsafe, but he replied that he felt it wouldn't reach him if it did, and continued to give orders to his men who were operating a line near a crumbling wall. Third Assistant Chief John B. Thorn saw the men operating near the dangerous wall and walked over to tell Allen to move his crew out of harm's way.

As he approached the crew of men, the chimney suddenly collapsed, striking Allen full force and partially burying Thorn. Allen's skull was completely crushed, killing him instantly. Thorn suffered broken ribs, a broken arm, and cuts and bruises about his head and body. Upon seeing their leader fall, the members of Engine 4 abandoned their apparatus and quickly set about digging out the two buried men. They were removed to a nearby dwelling, where two doctors pronounced Allen dead and ministered to Thorn's injuries.

Lafayette Engine Co. 4, which was built by Jacob Allen and his brother in their fire engine works.

Allen, 35, who lived at 16 Division Street, which sat between Broad and Spring Streets in those days, was a machinist by trade, and his brother, Ludlow, was a pattern manufacturer. Together, they owned and operated the J&L Allen Fire Engine Co., in Newark, and built many of the department's engines, including Allen’s own company's rig. He was the first member of the N.F.D. to make The Supreme Sacrifice.

Fire losses were set at $10,000 ($254,495) to contents - mostly shoes and boots - and to the structure. Incidentally, the tower watchman blamed the delay in getting the alarm out on illness. Allen was a very respected and highly esteemed citizen of Newark, and one of the most popular men in the Department.

Article that appeared in the New York Times, of May 29, 1857.