NEWARK, NJ: May 3, 1908 -- Thirty-two families were left homeless as a fire that began in a Charleston Street stable spread through the building. By the time fire units arrived, the flames had already extended to the six-story tenement at 120 Montgomery St. A policeman helping to evacuate the tenement was cut off by flames and had to jump from an upper-story window into a fire department life-saving net. To make matters worse, horses fled the flaming stables and ran wildly through the streets as firemen attempted to stretch hoses and raise ladders. Flames extended to another three-story tenement before the fire could be brought under control.
FORT WAYNE, IN: May 3, 1908 -- A fire was discovered in the early morning hours in the elevator shaft of the six-story brick New Aveline Hotel and spread rapidly. The night clerk took the elevator to the upper floors and was able to rescue numerous sleeping guests. Firemen scrambled to position ladders to the numerous people trapped above the flames and crying for help. Several persons jumped before they could be reached. Firemen picked off several guests as they edged along a ledge. In all, 11 people perished in the blaze.
BROOKLYN, NY: May 4, 1908 -- A fire believed to have been the work of an arsonist was set in the stairway of a four-story Williamsburg apartment building. More than 20 people were rescued from the flames, but six people died, including two who jumped from upper-floor windows and missed the life nets being held below.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA: May 5, 1908 -- A fire that started in the Mentone Restaurant on Geary Street, between Kearny Street and Grant Avenue, spread to the adjoining buildings as firemen struggled with water problems. The blaze extended to 15 stores.
NEW LONDON, CT: May 7, 1908 -- An early-morning fire destroyed the famed Pequot House at the mouth of New London Harbor. The old hotel sat on a small bluff overlooking the water and was quickly engulfed in flames that threatened the entire Pequot settlement of cottages. Decisive work by firemen held the flames to the original fire building and a nearby cottage.
ATLANTA, GA: May 8, 1908 -- Two business blocks were destroyed by a fire that started in a baking company at Madison and Nelson streets and rapidly filled the structure with flames. Arriving fire companies faced an advanced fire, extremely low water pressure and stiff winds. Spreading from Madison Street to Nelson Street, the fire ate its way into the five-story Liquid Carbonic Co. Within minutes, two horrific explosions collapsed the building and spread the flames to adjoining structures.
NEW YORK CITY: May 15, 1908 -- Multi-colored flames and green smoke poured from the windows of a four-story dye factory at 7 Platt St. in Manhattan while explosions rocked the burning building. Firemen battling the colorful flames also had to contend with toxic chemical fumes and acrid smoke while they rescued a large number of workers. At times, the smoke would change color, depending on the area that was burning. Blue and purple flames leaped from the building and orange and purple smoke chugged from the windows. Seven firemen were injured, one seriously.
PARIS, FRANCE: May 22, 1908 -- Two people were killed and 42 were burned or injured by an explosion and fire at a seven-story sugar refinery adjoining the Orleans train station. The explosion tore out a large section of the exterior walls and showered the area with bricks. The Paris firemen went to work quickly, faced with a serious fire in a partially collapsed structure with more than 2,400 people at work inside.
PAUL HASHAGEN, a Firehouse® contributing editor, is a retired FDNY firefighter who was assigned to Rescue Company 1 in Manhattan. He is also an ex-chief of the Freeport, NY, Fire Department. Hashagen is the author of FDNY 1865-2000: Millennium Book, a history of the New York City Fire Department, and other fire service history books.
