Oct. 1, 1900: WOODBURY, NJ - While overhauling the remains of a fatal house fire, firefighters found $6,500 worth of gold. Rolls of dollar bills were also located stuffed in a mattress.
Oct. 1, 1900: CHICAGO - Fire in the vault of the First National Bank at Monroe and Dearborn streets threatened millions of dollars of securities, valuable papers and cash. The prompt response of the fire department held the fire and damages were slight.
Oct. 3, 1900: WILLIAMSPORT, PA - A blaze broke out shortly after midnight in the large Dayton & Co. warehouse. The huge fire was battled for hours and the structure was a total loss.
Oct. 5, 1900: LONDON - A serious fire was fought in the Welbeck Abbey, Worksop, Notingshire. The Oxford wiring of the Abbey was gutted, but the priceless pictures and furniture were saved.
Oct. 10, 1900: BRONX, NY - The daring and skillful driving of Fireman Patrick Slattery of Engine 60 saved the life of a man who drove a bicyclist directly in the path of the responding horse-drawn steam engine. Slattery was forced to jump the curb on Willis Avenue to avoid the man. The engine nearly rolled over, and all the firemen were uninjured. One fire horse however had to be put down due to injuries.
Oct. 23, 1900: NEWARK, NJ - Firemen, including mutual aid companies battled a stubborn fire in Cole's Chemical Works at Long Hill near Waverly. After hours of dangerous work the Chief of Department requested some coffee for his men. An official refused, so the chief ordered his men to take up immediately. A few hours later, fire headquarters received a request from the chemical works for an engine to respond and extinguish piles of smoldering materials. The request was denied.
Time Capsule
OCT. 29, 1900 - NEW YORK CITY: EXPLOSION LEVELS CHEMICAL WAREHOUSE
At 12:15 P.M., Manhattan fire units were summoned to a seven-story chemical warehouse at 278 Greenwich St. With smoke showing from a third floor window, first due Engine 29 stretched a line inside. As the nozzle team moved in, a violent explosion occurred and leveled the building and the firemen withdrew.
Within minutes a major explosion occurred and leveled the structure and damaged more than 100 other buildings. Five alarms were struck as glass and flaming debris rained down on Greenwich Village.
Fire companies were hard pressed to halt the spreading flames and rescue numerous persons trapped by the blast. Seven people were killed and more than 100 were injured, including many firemen who were injured by the explosions or overcome by noxious smoke.
Compiled by PAUL HASHAGEN
