When the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, people across the nation celebrated the coming of the new century. Firemen, though, had little time to party; it seemed that the new century was going to be even busier than the last.
BRIDESBURG, PA - Flames swept through a large frame building owned by Charles R. Jenning & Co., manufacturers of chemicals. The structure was used to prepare hyposulfate and firemen were hard pressed to prevent the flames from spreading to other buildings.
STATEN ISLAND, NY - Fire destroyed a freight shed of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railroad Co. at St. George. The large frame building stood in the center of the railyard near the waterfront. The North Shore Fire Department responded, but was hampered by frozen hydrants. The fire spread to 15 railcars and was threatening more when the FDNY fireboat New Yorker arrived and knocked down the fire with its powerful stream.
NEW YORK CITY - A candle on a Christmas tree started a fire that roared through a double tenement house on First Avenue in Manhattan. The house was crowded with people, and many could not escape the smoke and flames. Ladder 2 arrived and threw its 85-foot ladder to the top floor. Firemen then dove into the thick smoke and rescued three people. Members of Engine 21 went to the roof of the building next door and lowered a rope that two people used to slide to the street. Unfortunately, an infant perished in the fire.
ELIZABETH, NJ - A fire started in the cellar of a clothing store at 215 Broad St. and soon involved the entire building. Arriving firemen worked valiantly to stop the fire from spreading to the adjoining five-story hotel. Several fireman were injured as they battled to gain control of the fire. One civilian broke his leg falling down a flight of stairs.
GREENSBORO, NC - A fire started in an elevator shaft in the Hague-McCorkle Dry Goods Co.'s wholesale warehouse and quickly spread throughout the building. Flames spread to the building next door before the fire could be brought under control.
KNOXVILLE, PA - An explosion of sewer gas just after midnight wrecked a large number houses and stables and tore up several streets. Twelve frame dwellings along Rochelle Street were destroyed. Another dozen homes at Zara Street and Long Alley were heavily damaged. A stable and five homes on Long Alley were also totaled. Amazingly, no injuries were reported.
Time Capsule
JAN. 1, 1900 - NEW YORK CITY: "YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP!"
A person noticed steam pouring through a wooden fence around a lumberyard in Manhattan and, fearing a fire, pulled the alarm box. Ladder Company 12 responded and at the corner of 8th Avenue and 20th Street it collided with a baker's wagon,which overturned. The collision frightened a horse, causing it to run. The panicked horse struck a baby carriage at the corner of 8th Avenue and 21st Street, sending the infant flying. The horse continued on and crashed into an organ grinder, toppling the man and his musical box. This horse was later caught and, luckily, no injuries were reported.
MILEPOST: Excelsior Hook & Ladder Company 1 of the Freeport, NY, Fire Department celebrated 125 years in service on Dec. 5, 1999.
Compiled by Paul Hashagen
