East Camden Home Destroyed by Fire
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Roof Cave-in Perils Group Battling Blaze at Woman's 3-Story Dwelling
Fire of unknown origin destroyed the home of Mrs. Edith Saunders, 744 North Twenty-fourth street, shortly after 9 a. m. Saturday.
Walter Eastlack, a member of Engine Company No. 9, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets, narrowly escaped injury when he fell four feet when the rear section of the roof collapsed. He refused to go to a hospital. Several other firemen were imperiled when the roof caved in.
When firemen arrived at the house, a three-story frame structure, flames were shooting out of it. Several persons in the crowd shouted that they thought a sick woman was upstairs.
Capt. Charles Watkins of Engine Company No. 11, Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue; Capt. Daniel Smith of Engine Company No. 9, and Patrolman Howard Bean rushed into the house and searched it, but found nobody there.
Firemen were still battling the blaze when Mrs. Saunders, 25, arrived. She collapsed and was taken to Cooper Hospital by police. She was detained for a time after being revived.
According to police, two children were smothered to death in a fire in the same house 13 years ago.
Firemen directed streams of water on the homes of Mrs. Charity Fox and William Cain, on either side of the house, after the flames threatened for a time to spread to them.