THE  LAST  ALARM

FIREMAN JAMES LEE

LAFAYETTE ENGINE CO. 5

BADGE #226

MAY 15, 1877

At 01:00 hours, a fire, which started in a vacant, frame building, on Harrison Avenue, between John and 1st Streets, in East Newark, quickly extended to similar structures on either side. As Newark firemen arrived on Bridge Street in answer to an alarm from Box 45, they discovered that the fire they were called for was across the river in East Newark. Chief Benedict arrived and ordered all Newark companies to stand fast until he investigated the scene.

Upon seeing that the fire was beyond the capabilities of the East Newark F.D., he ordered Engines 1 and 3, Truck 2, and Supply 1 to go to work at the fire. All other Newark companies who responded on the box were ordered up. Firemen went to work immediately, but the fire had already gotten a good headway. In addition to the original fire buildings, two more caught fire. The water supply at the scene was augmented by drafting water from the Passaic River, and pumping it through 1,500 feet of hose.

The cross marks the area in East Newark where the fire occurred.

Despite the best efforts of the embattled firemen, the fire quickly extended to two more structures. Seeing that the whole block was threatened with destruction, Chief Benedict ordered a second-alarm, bringing additional steamers to the scene from Newark. The fire extended to three more buildings until firefighters were finally able to check the spread of the flames.

During the early stages of the fire, a gang of East Newark toughs assaulted the firemen who were operating at the blaze. They cut the hoses and stole the men's personal belongings. They then tried to goad a number of the men into a brawl, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

At about 04:30 hours, Fireman James Lee, 42, who was the stoker for Engine 5, was sitting on a barrel when he suddenly collapsed to the street. Brother firemen ran to his aid and raised the semi-conscious man to a sitting position. He then fell unconscious and died. He was carried to a nearby home and a doctor was summoned. On arrival, the doctor pronounced Lee dead of an apparent massive heart attack, due to fatigue and being accosted. Lee was married and lived at 56 Madison Street.

The cause of the blaze was labeled as being of incendiary nature, and damages were estimated at $25,000 ($530,303).

Article that appeared in the New York Times, of May 16, 1877.