National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-10
FIRE.
THE MASONIC TEMPLE NARROWLY
ESCAPES BURNING.

THE MASONIC TEMPLE NARROWLY
:. ESCAPES BURNING.
Yesterday afternoon, at SIS O'Clock, an
alarm was turned in fnOm box ffty-nine, at the
Army Medical Museum, caused by FIRE being
discovered in the Masonic Temple The de-
partment promptly responded, and SIX minutes
amer the first alarm the chief engineer, having
arrived on the ground and made quick sur
vey of the scene, deemed It best to have the
entire department. on hand, Ia case tho fire
should gain Roadway, and consequently directed
general alarm 10 be turned IN, which was
done, and Q few minutes sfterward all the
steamers were on band and ready Tor service.
But fortunately they were not all required, as
the fire was brought under control before as
suming dangerous proportions. Il originated
In the water-elosets beneath the main stairway
leading from the street TO the two halls on the
second floor, and Is believed 70 have been the
Worz Of an tncendiaTy. ''...--. -.
At the time It was discovered several Of the
boarders ofthe 81, George saloon, on the ground
floor, were taking their meals, and the smell of
smoke pervaded the room and became 50 DOW
erful as 70 lead the boarders to make inquiry
as to It's origin While investigating, the door
Of the water-closet was opened, when out
rushed Q dense volume Of smoke, that came
near suffocating those searching for the fire.
Efforts were Immediately taken to extinguish
the flames, but finding that little progress was
made an alarm was sounded and the fre turned
over to the fremen for their handling, who
made short work Of subduing It. - -
The floor was ripped upon the landing at the
head OF the stairway; where the smoke poured
out tn thick, .impenetrable cloud, which
quickly filed the two balls. Turning the water
into the opening q few minutes only were re-
quired 10 extinguish the flames, and then Chief
Engineer Cronfn made thorough inspection Of
the premises. he believes that the fire was
burning in q smothered state for fully one hour
before 1t was discovered, and had It received
the benefit Of . little ventilation would have
progressed sufficiently as to endanger, If not
destroy, the entire Temple. The heavy ttmbers
that supported the stairway were burnt almost
through, and IN some places the fire had eat It's
way through the boarding Of the steps, thus
showing that the fire had been burning for q
considerable time when the boardero found t.
There is littls doubt but that It was the work
Of en- ineendiary and deliberate attempt to
destroy the building, and sufficient evidence
has been adduced to sabstantiate this fact.
Mr.. Levi Woodbury., who owned the st.
George and the restaurant on the opposite side
Of The hallway, loses considerable nom water,
but has ed insurance 9p his stock Of q, 900
that VIII fully cover all losseS. NotWithEtand-
ing the sudden and unexpected vash-o1t, he,
with his assistants, went Immediately to work,
and expected to have the saloon open for his
patrons to-day. The Masonic Hall Association
viii probably lose aDuus S2,000, or rather is
WI Cost that TO repair damages. There Il an
Insurance on the Temple Of $4,000, None Of
the lodge or chapter rooms or Templar asy-
lum sustained any Injury, the fire being con
fined to the first and second stories.
The members Of the fire department and po-
lice force were very energetic in the perform
ance Of their duties, and deserve the thanks Of
the community for the efficient service rem.
dered.