The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-08-01

ENGINE HOUSE AND Four ENGINES BURNED
The Engine house and four engines, belonging
to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad company !,
were burned at this place on the morning OF
Wednesday, the 31st. The fire was frst discov-
cred about II o'clock, in the night and the alarm
instantly given by Mr.. John Whitesell, the night
watch at Lushbaugh Bros. Sash and Blind Fac
tory, but before assistance could be had, the
flames had spread SO rapidly to envelop the
entire building, and speedily reduce it to ashes.
The structure was frame, and but recently erect
ed Four splendid engines Were in it at the
time, viz: No. Al, R. P. Murray, engineer; No
~, T. Perkins. engineer; No 80, Charles Tay-
lor, engineer; and No. 81, T. D. Hall, engineer
The first two were freight engines, and the lat.
ter two passenger engines. One Of the Engi
neers, Charles Taylor, attempted to run out his
engine, but failed, the flames almost encompass
ing him before he escaped from the house.
The estimated cost of the Engines Is about
$4,000 each. They we're all nearly new, and
among the finest on the road
1t Is surprising now that the disaster has oc-
cured, that such valuable property should have
been placed in such an infammable structure,
The loss the Company has sustained would have,
been more than sufficient to construct a commo-
dious fre-proof building. We believe the struc-
ture consumed was only temporary affair, to
serve TO protect the engines from the weather un-
til arrangements could be consummated to put
up more enduring one.
One noticeable feature about the fire, and Sc
rlous one to our citizens, was the difficulty ex-
perienced in getting the city fire engine out of
the engine house, and conveying it to the lurid
scene. The engineer, J. W. Hilbert, worked
like Trojan, but he had but a few to assist him,
and it was only by gaining recruits along the
streets that the ponderous machine was gotten to
the place Of disaster. There was no organized
fire company to work. The old fire company, to
the number of about IS, were on the ground, and
did valuable service with buckets in saving
from the flames the powder magazine in the inn
mediate vicinity. This was a dangerous bust.
ness, and kept many citizens resp ectful dis
lance from the burning buildings. car load
Of powder was close by, but was run back sey-
eral hundred yards Immediately on the alarm
being given.
The night was remarkably still. scarcely
no estimating the result, especially when the
defective fire organization is considered Lush
baugh Bros. Planning Factory, recently completed
from the ruins Of a similar disaster, is short
distance from the site of the late engine house
and other buildings near by, which might
have caught had the wind been blowing.
Tne safety OF our city is really endan gered by
reason OF the misunderstanding or the want of
an understanding between the original fire com
pany and the city council. Where SO much is
involved We regard it as public duty, for all
minor and non essential differences between these
bodies to be dropped. There is certainly a de-
mand for an efficient fire organization, and eve
rythlng else should be subordinated to the Sc
eurement Of such. 1t is not our purpose 10 enter
INTO the question of blame, but il lies somewhere
anu common sense, common security and pro-
tectlon require that it should be removed
AS thlngs now stand, fire communicated to a
oulluing IN The more compact portion of the CITY
would result IN che destruction of half the build
| lngs In the place We earnestly hope the coun-
Gil Will take practical view of the matter. and
Tor the interests of the whole community whose
guardians they are, they will address tn smselves
70 devlsing remedy tor this deplorable conli-
ZION Of things.