PERTH AMBOY - 1921

 

On June 15, 1921, a Perth Amboy fire engine racing to a blaze at a junk shop collided with an express train at the Market Street crossing of the Central Railway of New Jersey, killing nine volunteer firefighters.

It's believed to be the largest loss of fire service personnel in 20th Century New Jersey.

Seven of the men aboard Engine Company 4 died instantly, including the driver. The crossing gates were open and witnesses said the train was traveling faster than usual. The New York Times said the locomotive was "flying."

The flagman said there wasn't enough time to close the gates and he tried to stop traffic waving a red flag.

The magazine Fire and Water Engineering said the fire engine "recoiled" and "spun" after slamming into the second car on the train. The victims were dragged as far as 100 feet down the track. The train also came close to nicking an auto at the crossing.

The fire at the junk shop of H. Rudderman on South Second Street was inconsequential.