Nine firemen on a ladder, carrying a heavy hose up to the top floor of a burning building...these guys were not paid enough.
L.A. Times
L.A. Times
L.A. Times story:
Nov. 29, 1928: Los Angeles firefighters climb a ladder to fight a blaze on the top floor of the Newmark Bros. building.
Fire that burst with the force of an explosion through the top floor of the six-story building occupied by Newmark Brothers, coffee importers, at 312 East First Street, shortly before 3 p.m. yesterday, developed into a spectacular blaze that caused damage estimated in excess of $100,000.
Raging through roasted coffee chaff and about machinery the fire gained considerable headway before the fire department, working under the handicap of a five story climb, was able to bring it under control.
Approximately 700 150-pound bags of coffee were destroyed by the fire and a large amount damaged by water it is estimated by S.M. Newmark, member of the Newmark Brothers and A.P. Lazarus, secretary-treasurer of the company. Newmark placed the stock and fixture damage at $75,000.
Huge clouds of billowing smoke and flame belched from the top story of the building, according to witnesses, when the fire began, apparently in the roasting room.
Does anyone know if this is the same building today at First Street and San Pedro?
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