John McKay was born on October 22, 1891, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Malcolm and Mary McKay. Along with his brothers Malcolm, Thomas, and Stanley, John grew up at 362 East Indiana Avenue in Philadelphia, as recorded in the 1900 Census. By 1910, the family had relocated to 607 Powell Street in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
Around 1916, John married Rachel, and by June 5, 1917, when he registered for the draft, the couple lived at 828 Grant Street in North Camden with their son, John E. McKay. By 1918-1919, according to the City Directory and the 1920 Census, the McKay family had moved to 843 York Street. During this time, John worked as a tank tester at a Camden shipyard.
On June 16, 1923, John McKay was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, serving with Engine Company 2 as a hoseman for over 20 years. The 1924 City Directory lists him living at 136 York Street. By 1927, the family had moved to 1129 Dupont Street in the Cramer Hill section, and by 1929, they were residing at 1045 Lois Avenue, confirmed by the 1930 Census.
In 1931, Fire Department records show John living at 348 Hillside Avenue. By 1940 and 1943, the family had moved to 486 North 35th Street, a home owned by Clarence McMullen, a fellow firefighter. On October 3, 1943, John McKay was transferred to Engine Company 11.
By 1947, the Camden City Directory listed John McKay and his family living at 557 North 34th Street. His son, still residing at home, was employed as a mailman. Later, the family moved to 1091 North Common Road in Camden’s Fairview section.
On the morning of December 16, 1952, fire units from the Second District of East Camden were dispatched to a dwelling fire. Shortly after, an alarm was received for a fire at the Grace Baptist Church at 27th and Cramer Streets, located one block from the quarters of Engine 9 and Ladder 3, which had been vacated due to the earlier alarm. Normally, First District units from Center City and North Camden would respond to such a fire on the second alarm, but in this case, they were the first responders.
Off-duty Fire Dispatcher Rex Hurlock, living a few doors from the church, noticed heavy smoke and rescued a 76-year-old infirm woman from a neighboring building. The first units on the scene issued a second alarm, and Chief William Van Pfefferle later called for a third alarm. South Camden units from the Third District responded to the second alarm, while the original East Camden units, becoming available from the dwelling fire, responded to the third alarm.
The fire began in the church basement and quickly spread through interior walls, eventually venting through the roof. Early in the response, firefighters detected the smell of illuminating gas, prompting them to withdraw from the building while the gas company shut off the supply at the street. As the fire intensified, sharp slate roof tiles fell from the structure, endangering firefighters. The blaze destroyed much of the building, including a $6,000 pipe organ, with damages estimated at $75,000. The church, which had over 600 members, had a tragic history of fires: its original 1890 building burned down in 1904, and the replacement completed in 1906 was destroyed by fire in 1913.
Firefighters Elmer Johnson and John McKay were injured while combating the December 1952 fire. Remaining on active duty with the Camden Fire Department, John McKay passed away on February 6, 1953.
Related Photos
Related Articles
-
John McKay
John McKay was born on October 22, 1891, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Malcolm and Mary McKay. Along with his brothers Malcolm, Thomas, and Stanley, John grew up at 362 East Indiana Avenue in Philadelphia, as recorded in the 1900 Census. By 1910, the family had relocated to 607 Powell Street in Gloucester City, New Jersey.…
-
William Van Pfefferle
William Van Pfefferle was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 17, 1891. William Van Pfefferle married Elsie Maxwell. Her father, Joseph Maxwell, was a career Camden Fire Department fire fighter. The couple lived with Maxwell’s at 620 North 3rd Street. By June of 1917 there were two children in the family. William Van Pfefferle then…
-
Taps Sound for Jack Airedale, Canine Mascot of Fire Laddies
Camden Courier-Post – November 7, 1934 Taps Sound for Jack Airedale, Canine Mascot of Fire Laddies Camden firemen and policemen paid their final respects to stout-hearted Jack Airedale yesterday. The beloved mascot of Headquarters Fire Company, Fifth and Arch streets, whose life was crushed out under the wheels of truck No. 2, his own wagon,…
Leave a Reply