Introduction
DAVID ANDREWS served for over 20 years as a member of the Camden Fire Department. He was born in Northern Ireland around 1866 to Samuel and Rachel Andrews. Samuel Andrews worked as a carpenter. David Andrews’ parents brought him and sister Rebecca to America around 1870. The family, which included younger siblings Archibald, Mary, and Samuel, lived at 503 Market Street in 1880.
In May of 1894 he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, along with Joseph Logue, William Patterson, George Cox, Samuel Curriden, John A. Dold, William Jobes, William O. Sawyer, and Albert James.
David Andrews was assigned to Engine Company 2, which was quartered at Fire Headquarters at the northwest corner of North 5th and Arch Streets. In 1894 the personnel were as follows: Foreman Harry C. Grosscup; Engineer, William Morris; Driver, John P. Long; Stoker, Albert Jones; hosemen, George Wade, William Hertline, and David Andrews.
When the Town of Stockton merged with Camden in 1899, the volunteer fire companies of Stockton remained active for several months brief time. On June 25, 1899 the Stockton companies rendered assistance to the Camden Fire Department when the Moro Phillips Chemical Company factory at North Twelfth Street at Linden Street was struck by fire, resulting in $60,000 worth of damage and injury to three Camden firefighters, Joseph Maxwell, David Andrews, and William Hertline.
David Andrews married around 1898. The 1900 Census shows the David and Elizabeth Andrews at 104 South 5th Street, a short walk from his job at Fire Headquarters, North 5th Street and Arch Streets. Fellow Camden Fire Department member John Lutts lived at 110 South 5th Street, Camden police officer Julius Bosch around the corner at 511 Mickle Street, and city constable J. Fred Voight at 527 Mickle Street.
The 1910 Census and 1919 City Directory shows him living with his wife Elizabeth at 408 Arch Street. He was still working as a firefighter as late as 1919.
He does not appear in the 1924 Camden City Directory, but by 1927 was listed at 702 New Street. When the census was taken in April of 1930, David Andrews was still living with his wife Elizabeth with a home they owned at 702 New Street in South Camden. This is where they lived out their days. Elizabeth Andrews passed away on February 6, 1940. David Andrews joined her on December 19, 1940. They both were buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
Additional Firemen in Camden.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Camden Fire Commissioners held a meeting last night at which nine new firemen were appointed as follows: First ward, Joseph Logue; Second ward, William Patterson; Third ward, George Cox; Fourth ward, David Andrews; Fifth ward, John A. Dodd; Sixth ward, William Jobes; Seventh ward, William O. Sawyer; Eighth ward, Albert James; Ninth ward, Samuel Curriden.
Fire Commissioners.
Camden Daily Telegram —
Appointments Made as Provided for by Ordinance.
At a meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of City Council on Tuesday night James Baird was awarded the contract for supplying the department with two horses at $400.
The Commissioners made the following appointments, in conformity with a recent ordinance: First ward, Joseph Logue; Second ward, William Patterson; Third ward, George Cox; Fourth ward, David Andrews; Fifth ward, Joseph Dold; Sixth ward, William Jobes; Seventh ward, William O. Sawyer; Eighth ward, Albert James; Ninth ward, Samuel Curriden.
Four of the above appointments are to be assigned to the new chemical engine, and one man is to be assigned to each of the five companies. By this arrangement the extra men are dispensed with. James Elberson, of the First ward, was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Charles Kay, who was appointed to the police force to succeed Elberson.
Fire Headquarters, North 5th Street
In the foreground, the headquarters of the Camden Fire Department, built in 1899, at 19 North 5th Street. The adjacent building at 31 North 5th Street was built in 1894, and was the home of Ladder Company 1 from 1894 to 1930.
Acids in Flames
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Moro Phillips’ Chemical Works in Camden Partly Destroyed by Fire
Firemen’s Good Work
Battled Against Heavy Odds, But Saved Most of the Plant—Loss About $60,000
Nearly two acres of buildings forming part of the Moro Phillips Chemical Works, on Cooper’s Creek, Camden, were destroyed by fire yesterday, entailing a loss of about $60,000. It was the most stubborn fire the Camden Fire Department has been called upon to fight for several years. The blaze started shortly before 8 o’clock in the morning, and it was noon before the flames were gotten under control. Three engines played on the ruins until 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
The origin of the fire is a mystery. A blaze was discovered in the phosphate fertilizing building by a watchman at ten minutes of 8 o’clock. Instead of springing the fire alarm, only half a block from the works, he telephoned to No. 2 engine house. The message was received at 7.53, just as the men were about to respond to roll call before going to breakfast. Only the chemical engine and a truck company were sent out as is customary on local alarms. Before they could reach the fire, however, Foreman Harry Grosscup saw the flames shooting high into the heavens, and he dispatched No. 2 Engine Company. The engine was half way to the fire when a regular alarm was turned in.
All the Engines Called
Chief Elfreth, upon arriving on the scene, turned in a general alarm, calling out the entire department. The phosphate fertilizing building was then a mass of flames, and it was apparent that the main portion of the plant was doomed. The works were composed of old frame buildings that burned like tinder. The firemen directed their attention to preventing the flames from spreading.
A westerly breeze fanned the flames and threatened to carry them across a twenty-five-foot areaway to the warehouses, where vast quantities of fertilizers and phosphorus, together with many carboys of vitrol [sic], were stored. The firemen succeeded in keeping these buildings from catching fire. They were warned, however, to be careful not to turn their hose on a small brick building, as the contents were liable to explode through contact with water. An employe of the plant told Foreman Grosscup, of Engine Company No. 2, that if this building should go up it would shake half the city.
Deadly Acid Fumes
The fire spread from the fertilizer building to a building used for the manufacture of Glauber salts, and for a time it looked as if the entire plant would be consumed. This building contained large quantities of muriatic acid. Dense volumes of heavy black smoke rolled out of the doors and windows. Firemen Maxwell, Andrews and Hertline, who went inside with a line of hose, were driven out by the acid fumes. They came stumbling outside for fresh air, and after adjusting sponges over their mouths bravely returned to fight the flames.
All that portion of the works used for the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers was destroyed, while the acid departments were saved. The firemen fought valiantly. Fire Commissioner Walter Edwards, finding that they had not had their breakfast, dispatched a patrol wagon to a restaurant, and served out coffee and rolls to the firefighters. About noon the flames were gotten under control, and only engine companies Nos. 1, 2 and 4 were retained in service.
In speaking of the origin of the fire Superintendent Allen said he was walking through the fertilizer building when he heard some one shout “Fire.” Glancing up he saw flames shooting out from the inside of the roof above him. He could only roughly estimate the loss as being between $50,000 and $75,000.
Insurance Agent Crawford Miller, who carried most of the insurance on the work, stated last evening that he could not tell the amount of insurance, but it was probable that most of the loss was covered.
A Singed Cat
A strange sight met the eyes of the firemen in the ruins of the main building after the flames were under control. On the top of one of the charred uprights which had supported the roof, and at a distance of twenty-five feet from the ground, sat a black and white cat, mewing piteously. How the cat escaped the flames, and gained the top of the smoking upright was a puzzle the firemen could not solve. But the fire laddies were tender-hearted, and a ladder was quickly put up, and pussy was rescued from her perilous position. It was found that her ears were burned, and the hair was singed off her tail, but when she reached the ground the cat showed she had several lives left, for she made a dash for a place of safety.
New Jersey Firemen’s Convention Arrangements
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Arrangements have been completed for the holding of the annual convention of the New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benefit Association in Camden next Monday. The local committee having the arrangements in charge are Robert Colkitt, William Sawyer, James Elverson, Lewis Buzine, Albert Haydon, David Anderson and John Renner.
Brilliant Blaze Attracted Crowds
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A fire that did damage amounting to about $3000 destroyed the building formerly occupied as the Thomas H. Arrison saw mill, Hyde Park and Liberty streets, Camden, last night. While comparatively little damage was done, the fire, spectacular in effect, attracted thousands of persons. The flames originated in a room filled with 600 barrels, the property of Daniel Pierson. Half an hour afterwards it was a mass of ruins. The inflammable material caused huge tongues of flame to bridge the street, and the properties of Daniel Barney and Joseph Frieze were badly scorched.
David Andrews, a fireman, was injured internally by falling through a floor.