WATERFRONT FIRE

Grey River Argus, 14 August 1944, Page 4

WATERFRONT FIRE

MILLION DOLLAR LOSS (Rec. 6.30) NEW YORK, Aug. 12 A million dollars worth of war materials was destroyed in a fire on the Hoboken waterfront last night. The fire wa's brought under control eraly to-day after it had destroyed one pier and badly damaged two others, together with a big office and warehouse building. Eight men are reported to have lost their lives in the fire, but so far it is not confirmed.

The fire followed an explosion while drums of oxaline, nitrocellulose, and other inflamables were being loaded on to three lighters at one pier. Other explosions occurred as the fire spread to neighbouring wharves. A lighter and four barges were destroyed and two other lighters were damaged. Ships and an ammunition barge were towed from the danger zone. Firefloats, tugs, and picket-boats were used to fight the blaze, firmen from New York and New Jersey being assisted by five hundred coast guardsmen. LATER.

Firemen and fire-boats to-day (Friday) are still fighting the fire on the Hoboken waterfront, twenty ; tour hours after the outbreak. A nightwatchman and longshoremen are missing, but nobody has definitely been reported as killed. The F. 8.1. is investigating the cause of the tire, which so far, is unknown. The damage is unofficially estimated at five million dollars. CONEY ISLAND BLAZE.

(Rec. 10.40.) NEW YORK, Aug. 13. A spectacular fire which broke out suddenly while thousands of New Yorkers thronged Coney Island, seeking relief from the hot weather, destroyed half of the famous Luna Pane amusement area. Despite the crowds, nobody was seriously injured. The fire started from a short' circuit and spread rapidly. In three hours it haa levelled fifteen buildings, and caused damage estimated at half a million dollars.