This Day in History: 1940-12-04
A new car was destroyed and total damage to the building equipment and stock estimated at $4500 was caused when the Mahwah Center Station , operated by David Sandberg on Franklin Turnpike and Miller Road was swept by a freak fire. The building owner, by John A. Winter, was not insured. The fire started , when William O. King, local insurance dealer entered the building, while workmaen were removing the gasoline from the new car which belonged to John A. Winter. Not realizing what was happening, he lighted a cigarette. Fire immediately swept the frame of the building. All the windows and doors were closed at the time. the Mahwah Fire Company was called, but could do little to stop the spread of the blaze. King was waiting at the garage for the Shortline bus to New York. Fireman Thomas Ackerman cut his hand , when he broke the window of a locked car parked next to the building in an attempt to move it to safety. He was given First Aid treatment on the scene by TWP Clerk R.F. Dator. Dator also treated Sven Losbon for minor burns around the hands and face. Four others suffered minor injuries in the fire, which was under control after 3/4 of an hour. The building was valued at $1500, the stock and equipment at $3000. The latter was partially insured, as was the car. Traffic was diverted around the scene via Ramapo Road by police. (Bristow)