50 Years Ago Today
July 8, 1949

By Kathleen Daniels

Sinatra's Father
Hurt Fighting Fire

Nine fireman, including Capt. Martin Sinatra, father of Frank Sinatra, the singer, were injured or overcome by smoke last night battling a blaze in Hoboken that gutted a five-story manufacturing loft building on Washington Street and spread to two adjoining buildings. Damage was estimated at $25,000 . Smoke covered an area of two square blocks. Several thousand spectators flocked to the scene and traffic was disrupted on Washington Street for several hours.

Captain Sinatra was treated at the scene for smoke poisoning. Other firemen treated were Michael Sheridan, smoke poisoning and arm injury; Daniel Murphy, smoke poisoning; John Coyle, hand injury; John McKnight, hand injury; Michael Stiles, smoke poisoning; John Stetson, burns of the left arm; Walter Schlicher, smoke poisoning, and Joseph O'Brien, stomach injuries. Fire companies were called from Union City and Jersey City to battle the blaze, which was of undetermined origin. It was discovered at 7:45 p.m. and brought under control within an hour after the first companies reached the scene.