National Republican., 1873-04-28
THE MIcnI.ER PLACE FIRE.

The fire In Mlchler place yesterday morn |
ing fully shows that the Mansard roof Is likely
TO maintain in Washington the uncuviable
reputation Il has won In Chicago and Boston.
The nrc broke out in the basement Of Mrs.
Carpenters house, and made Its way In the
rear to the roof, when the flames spread to
Mr.. Piatts residence upon the one hand,
aud to the adjoining houses on the other.
In an incredibly short space Of time 1t er-
tended to the central tower, In the
middle Of the block, eating Its way
between the slate and the ceiling, and appa-
rsntly Overlapping two or three houses II
was the most perfect demonstration OF the
fatal fire trap character Of the Mansard roof.
There arc altogether thirteen houses in
Michler Place, built at the same time, and
pretty much on the same plan-upon entirely
the same plan so far as the construction Of
ths roof 10 concerned. In other words, all
these houses arc practically one 30 far As
their covering Ia concerned, and II the
weather had not been fortunately propitlous,
IL would have been almost Impossible to have
saved them. The lesson to be derived
from the disaster, which Is not after
all very large, is, that the erection Of build
ings Of this character should be placed under
more stringent regulations In this city than
they are ut present. Had the main walls
been carried up to the full height Of the roof,
as they should have been, 1t is more than
probable that the flre would have been con
fined to the house wherein It originated. The
Board Of Fire Commissioners, in the report
to be submitted to the Legislature In a few
days, make a suggestion to this effect, and IL
is to be hoped that that body will take imme-
diate action upon II.
There Is another point connected with the
fire to which we dc-ire to cali attention. The
fire department Is blamed by many persons
We have taken pains to investigate the diff
ferent complaints and stories and have nc
hesitation In saying that the department die
all that could be done under the circum
stances. But the fact il the equipment o
the department Is by no means what
should he. The engines are In such q condi
tion that they cannot be worked to their full
capacity. As to the hose, 1t lie not only de
ncient in quantity, but 1t is so worn out tina
II the full pressure Of steam were pu
on II would be shattered to pieces
In the lines Of hose yesterday there wer
no less than sixty rents, which Of course ma
Nhh
volume Of water thrown upon the bu. mini
buildings. Taking all these facts into con
sideratlon, the wonder is that the department
was able to do the work that II did do. Tn
safety of the city absolutely demands tina
the Legislature should do all that In /
lies to place the fire department In I
proper state OF efficiency at once. W,
need one II no: two additional engines ant
another hook and ladder truck. The neglect
of these ordinary precautions is positively
criminal. Whole blocks Of houses similar
to those in Michlcr place are scattered al
over the city, and with the present wretched
equipment OF the Are department their de
struction At any moment Is by no means ar
improbable event. Washington to-day has
more inferior Are equipment than any city o
Its size and Importance in the country. lie
1t be the first duty Of the Legislature to put |
In order.