Meandering
with John Corcoran
October is Fire Prevention Month, And along with everyone else, heed your fire chief and firemen's warnings, and check now to PREVENT devastating fires from happening!
I was trying to determine what spectacular fires 
we've have in Gloucester City over the years. In addition, I imagine, to most people, the first one that comes to mind is the big Ferry fire in the early twenties, probably because the Gloucester Ferry was a landmark of the area and its destruction could be said, "to end an era”.
However, there were others besides. Perhaps the most crucial fire, though not that spectacular, was the little store that was destroyed in March of 1875. This fire could have been very disastrous for the city if it were not for the men and equipment from Washington Mills (with water pumped from he mill). You see, Gloucester City had yet to have its own fire department.
This fire aroused the citizens of the town to action and at that time, the Gloucester City Fire Department was organized!
There were some real "biggies" that some real "old-timers" might remember as spectacular conflagrations: the paper mill at Jersey ave. and Ann st. (where was that?) in the early "teens"; the old ice plant on Fifth St. during the same year, with ammonia flakes from the blaze shooting like fireworks over the area; the aircraft warehouses at the old Bleachery, Morris St. at the river, during World War I.
Their have been several throughout the years, and probably most of our firemen could suggest one or two they would consider "spectacular”. Here are some of my selections.
"Tops" on my list is the Monmouth St. School fire and the burning of the steeple of the St. Mary's R.C. Church across the street in March, 1960. It destroyed the elementary school, but I think, the tragic part was the flames spread across Monmouth st. and destroyed the church steeple landmark that could be seen for miles. I understand that fire companies came from as far away as Swedesboro that day!
Another spectacular conflagration was the destruction of Quigley's and Stinson & Dickensheet's lumber warehouses, Johnson blvd, and Nicholson rd. At 5:30 a.m. on July 13, 1962, the alarm sounded and for that day firemen from nine companies, including the Coast Guard stationed in Gloucester City, fought the "general alarmer," with flames shooting 150 feet in the air and houses across the street being flamed-scarred but saved (that fire was HOT!).
There were others I could include on my list, the Mansion House, and the South Yard of N.Y. Ship, which took days to distinguish, and Lightman Motors on South Broadway.
Every alarm is dangerous and could be disastrous, from the "false" alarm, to grass fires, kitchen fires and garage fires, house fires and buildings. When that fire horn goes off it means dangerous work for the firemen, possible tragedy for victims and destruction of valuable property!
Heed the warnings...observe Fire Prevention Week by protecting yourself and your loved ones!
