Two Firemen Killed in Leather Plant Fire at Newark
A falling three-story brick wall at a fire in the leather plant of George Stengel, Inc., on Weston Avenue, Newark, N. J., on May 14, resulted in the death of Lieutenant William Flood, of Engine Company No. 6, and Fireman John A. Stuetz, of the same company, and in the injury of several other firemen. The loss is estimated at $200,000. The two main buildings of the plant were destroyed. Three other buildings were saved by the firemen; these buildings were the drying room, tanning department and split finishing shop. The wall fell without warning, crashing down upon a number of firemen, under Deputy Chief McDerinitt, wno were fighting the fire from the rear of the largest building. The fire was discovered by the night watchman. He stated that he was in theengine room cleaning the fires when he smelled smoke. Going into the main building, which adjoins the boiler room, he traced the smoke to the centre of the second floor. As he reached the top of the stairs he saw a tongue of flame coming from the dynamo used in the drying room. He pulled the A. D. T. alarm and then ran into the street and turned in an alarm from Box 246, at the corner. The progress of the flames through the building was rapid. The first alarm was received at headquarters in City Hall at 12.09, a second alarm was given at 12.20 a. m., a third at 12.30. The flames were under control at 2.30 a. m. When Chief Moore arrived on the second alarm the fire had spread to a building in the rear and he immediately sent in the third alarm. When the wall crashed upon the firemen in the rear of the main building firemen working at other points rushed to their assistance and removed the injured men to places of safety. Lieutenant Flood and Fireman Stuetz died later in hospitals.
Photo, courtesy Newark News.
Photo, courteay Newark News.
