Introduction
JOHN REILLY was born July 12, 1890 in Gloucester City, New Jersey to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Reilly. The second of three children, his mother apparently had died in the mid-1890s. Joseph J. Reilly remarried around 1897, and two more children, Rose and Thomas were born. When the Census was taken in 1900 the Reilly family resided at 915 Carpenter Street. Joseph J. Reilly worked as a telegraph operator.
By 1910 John J. Reilly had left home to make his way in the world. By 1914 he had moved to South Camden, and was living at 1727 South 4th Street.
When John Reilly registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 he was still living at 1727 South 4th Street and working as a truck driver at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyards. He was unmarried at the time, however. By January 10, 1920 John Reilly had married. He and his wife Hazel were renting an apartment at 569 Mickle Street.
In the early 1920s John Reilly served in the United States Navy. His wife went to Freehold NJ. He returned to Camden in the spring of 1924 and got a job with the Camden Fire Department. He boarded at 931 Pearl Street, the home of brother Fireman Albert Raeuber. Albert Raeuber’s family had lived at 933 Pearl Street since the 1890s. While not on duty John Reilly went about the business of securing a home for himself and his wife in Camden.
On January 19, 1925, Fireman John Reilly of Engine Company 4 made the Supreme Sacrifice in the line of duty. About 9:30 P.M. that Monday evening, Engine 4 turned out on a phone alarm reporting an oil stove fire in an occupied building at 924 North 2nd Street, near North 2nd and State Streets in North Camden. The fire occurred in the residence of Max Koch, located above his grocery store. Upon arrival, Firemen John Reilly and Albert Raeuber carried a large copper portable extinguisher to the second floor. The flames were quickly extinguished and the nozzle closed. Suddenly, the fire extinguisher exploded like a bomb. Fireman Reilly was struck in the face by pieces of the fragmented appliance. He was killed instantly. Fireman Raeuber sustained serious lacerations and bruises, requiring an overnight admission at Cooper Hospital.
Probationary Fireman John Reilly was thirty-five years old and a member of the Department for seven months. He had become quite popular among the members and neighbors of Engine Company 4.
World War I Draft Card
Fireman Dies in Explosion of Chemicals
Camden Courier —
Companion Hurt As Extinguisher Explodes at Second Street Fire
Cause of Blast Mystery to Firemen
Injured Fireman Finds Self Lying on Comrade’s Dead Body
Was Fireman Eight Months
One fireman was instantly killed and another was slightly injured when a three-gallon chemical fire extinguisher exploded in their hands while they were fighting a small fire in the home of Max Koch, 924 North Second street, shortly after 9 o’clock last night.
The dead fireman was John J. Riley, aged 34, hoseman of Engine No. 4. The injured fireman is Albert Raeuber, of the same company. Raeuber was cut about the head and stunned by the blast.
Fire on Second Floor
No 4 company had answered a still alarm to the Koch home where an oil stove had exploded on the second floor. As the truck upon which Riley and Raeuber were riding stopped in front of the place, the two men leaped from it with the extinguisher and ran into the house. Koch met them and cried out that the fire was upstairs.
At the top landing Raeuber took the nozzle of the hose connected with the tank and turned it toward the blazing stove. Riley manipulating the tank. Hardly had the stream of chemicals struck the fire than the tank exploded.
Raeuber told Chief Patterson that the next thing he knew he was lying on top of a body. He was stunned. Turning over he recognized Riley, his face covered with blood. The tank was lying nearby.
Rush Men to Hospital
Hearing the explosion, Fireman Samuel Herring, of Engine No. 4, ran into the room in time to see Raeuber attempting to move Riley. He assisted in taking the injured man downstairs. Raeuber was bleeding badly about the head.
Both men were placed in Chief Patterson’s car and Charles Gladney, the chief’s driver, made a hurried trip to Cooper Hospital. Upon arrival it was found that Riley had died. Raeuber was given medical aid and later removed to his home at 931 Pearl street.
Riley had been a member of the fire department about eight months, having served in the navy prior to his coming to Camden. He made his home with Raeuber. He was married, his wife living in Freehold, N. J. Late last night she was reached by telephone and told that her husband had been seriously injured and made preparations to come to Camden at once.
Can’t Explain Cause
Riley was planning to bring her to Camden in the spring and had practically completed arrangements for an apartment.
Firemen today were unable to explain the cause of the explosion. From Raeuber’s version of the accident firemen could arrive at but one conclusion—that the tank was of inferior make. They pointed out that such accidents are very unusual.
Chief Carter this morning said that he was not at the fire and could not be definite in any statement pertaining to Riley’s death until a complete investigation is made.
“The kind of a fire extinguisher that Riley was using is likely to explode if they are turned on or off too quickly. Probably that is what happened in this instance,” Chief Carter explained.