Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-21


OF THE FLAMES.
The Chicago Inter-Ocean gives the following
graphic account OF the turning point in the
great fre OF one week ago:
when the fire had reached the corner of
Wabash avenue and Van Buren, street, it scenic
10 be under control to the westward, and CEN
tered all Its force upon this one point. Two
engines had located here, and, facing the ol-
coming flames, made herculean effort 20 stop
IL. If the fire crossed the street there seemed no
chance of saving the city, for should this occur
II would be impossible 10 stand the heat, ana
the stores adjoining the fire would surely 90.
With these great blocks in flames, who could
tell where it would end? The fremen recos-
nized
THIS TERRIBLE EMERGENCY,
and stood to their work unfinchiDgly. The two
pipes from IA and u were "siamesed," or put
into one, and heavy stream Of water rose to
the top of the fve-story building. Again and
again the flames burst forth in torrents, aud
threatened the opposite buildings. Twice they
were on fire, but the stream WAS turned upon
them Tor moment, and the course of the fire
was stopped, and the engines again returned I'D
the task of staying the flames. The wind would
every now and then in great gust blow the
water aside, but in a moment the stream would
once more be seen amid the smoke pouring ITS
steady torrent of water into the feTy furnace
before it. 1t seemed small and pitiful to fight
such battle, but here, ii ever, il must conquer.
The crowds in the streets
WATCHED THIS CONTEST
with bated breath, and, as the flames or water
seemed to gain the mastery, gave forth groans
or cheers of sympathy. All hope centered in
TINS one cnance, and II was indeed desperate
one. AT one time the flames would shoot up
high above the surrounding buildings as II
defantly, and then again, as the steady stream
continued to pour in its volumes, il would sink
to q red glare, and writhe and toss as though
in agony. For full half hour the battle con-
tnued, and never once in that time did the
heavy stream cease to pour into the burning
warehouse.
The fremen were buttressed behind heavy
barricades to keep them from being so9rched or
burned alive, and they
STOOD TO THEIR POSTS
in the midst of q danger few would face, and
the huge engines just in their rear, almost ready
to burst with the force they were using, kept
urging on the only power that could success
fully combat the flames. AT last the fiery
streamers paled and sunk. Again they started
up htfully, and IL was plain that their power
was gone, and they again sunk darker and
darker. The smoke rolled forth in great vol
umes, hopeful sign, and then the flames
finally died away. With a great SIGH of relief
the people in the streets turned their steps
homeward, thanking God that the city was
saved. In all the mistakes and ineficiency OF
the fire department, this honor must be accorded
TO them, that here they made a noble fight, and
earned great victory"
1t may be mentioned here that the 4" siames-
ing" above referred TO is the patented invention
of Mr.. Martin Cronin, chief engineer of the
fire department OF the District of Columbia
by which the streams from two or three fire
engines can be concentrated into one, thus so
make il very effective in circumstances where
smaller stream would be disspated by the
great heat, or where water is to be projected to
a great height.