Note
Notes: Text of a typical published article based on Associated Press copy.
The Daily Mail, Hagerstown, Md., Saturday, December 14, 1940. Vol. CXII. No. 296.
Page 1 headline and article with continuation on page 12.
====
Fire Destroys Big Hoboken Plant Active in Defense Work
Flash Near Ceiling Seen Before Blaze
Factory Made Turbines, Condensers, Etc. for Ships
Hoboken, N.J. Dec. 14 (AP) - Fire early today destroyed the plant of the Condenser Service and Engineering corporation, active in National defense orders, with a loss estimated at $100,000 to $1,000,000. One man was killed.
The dead man was tentatively identified as George Jacobs, of Jersey City, night watchman, was[sic - who] discovered the fire with four other workmen, comprising the night shift at the plant.
The other men said Jacobs had apparently been going back in to that part of the office to obtain papers and was trapped by the flames. His body was found near the office.
Olaf Anderson, of North Bergen, plant executive, estimated the loss at $1,000,000, including valuable wood patterns and specially built machines being constructed to fill defense orders.
H.C. Evans, company treasurer, said the million-dollar estimate was "much to high - about one-tenth of that."
The company built turbines, condensers and other equipment for steamships.
The plant was a one and two-story building spreading over half a city square.
The men working the time said that they saw a flash near the ceiling shortly after 2 a.m. and the ceiling became a blaze. With Jacobs, they fought the fire but when it got beyond their control they turned in the alarm.
The flames spread rapidly thru the building, destroying the wooden patterns and a wood and tarpaper roof. Fire Chief John J. Gilday said his men were hampered by the presence of oxygen and aceytelene[sic] tanks, but no injuries were reported.
He sounded a second alarm. The fire was brought under control at about 6:15 a.m.
Streams of water had to be played on a large public service gas and electric company gas tanks across the street from the plant to prevent overheating.
The plant, located in Hoboken about nine years, employed approximately 300 men. Working with Jacobs on the night shift were Paul Graetz and Maurice Straube of Jersey City, August Morris of West New York and Harry Hill of New York.
====
====
Original or Copy: Original
Status: OK
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2014-01-30
