Samuel Hemingray rescued from fire

FIREMEN

Rushed Through Wall of Flame and

Smoke and Rescued an

Unconscious Man.

Captain Bart Connelly, of Engine Company 4, and Captain William Wessellmann, of Hook and Ladder Company 7, dashed through a wall of flame at 614 Broadway, shortly after 6 o'clock last night, and rescued Samuel Hemingray, who had been overcome by smoke.

Hemingray was preparing a meal on a gasoline stove when the tank exploded, and showered blazing gasoline over the floor and walls. The stove fell to the floor near the door, effectively blocking Hemingray's escape. He screamed for help, meanwhile making a vain effort to extinguish the flames. Neighbors who saw smoke pouring from the windows and heard the cries of the imprisoned man sent in an alarm.

When members of the engine company and ladder crew rushed up the stairs they were confronted by a cloud of stifling smoke and a burst of flame. Captains Connelly and Wessellmann, who were in the lead, could see through the haze of smoke and fire the form of Hemingray on the floor.

The two captains at once wrapped their rubber coats about their heads, and plunged through the fire. Enveloping Hemingray's head in a table cloth, saturated with water, they made another trip through the wall of fire and carried him to safety. He was soon revived, and seemed none the worse for his experience.

The firemen found a stubborn blaze to handle, but after a heroic fight, they subdued it with a loss of about $100.