National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-26
FIRES YESTERDAY.


Another Excitement at the Navy Department.
Yesterday, about l245 o'clock, smoke was seen
issuing from the east end Of the upper story Of
the Navy Department building, and shortly after
fire was discovered. The smoke increased in
volumes, and, as . matter OF course, the widest
c0mmotion was created. An alarm was turned in
from the Signal Once, box 6s, and while the en-
gines were responding the hose Of the building
was attached to its plug, aud water was thrown
en- the part Of the building which was on fire. A
portion Of the hre department, consisting OF en-
gines Nos. ], and 8, responded promptly to the
alarm, but No: 4, receiving box Is, Second pre-
cinct station, started to that box, and thereby
lost some time in getting int service. So soon as
1t was ascertained that the Navy Department was
on fire a general alarm was turned in. and all OF
the department other than that attending the
alarm from box 20 responded, and soon streams
were pouring on every portion Of the building,
and by hard work the flames were kept under
control.
Major Richards, superintendent of police
ordered all the reserves 10 the building, and they
performed good service in keeping the crowds
back go that the hremen could work efficiently.
Many Of the contents Of the rooms in the build
bureaus got all their records out in safety. The
FIRE originated in room in which were stored old
registers and papers as also OLD carpets, put the
cause as yet is not explained. The contents Of
the Secretary's room we're taken out in safety.
About one year ago this same floor caught on
loss other than that caused by water. fhe dam
age sustained by the roof yesterday will necessi-
tate its removal, and the construction of new
while this is being done other quarters will have
to be selected for the transaction Of the business
Of the Department
The report Of the building being on FIRE brought
Thousands Of citizens from all sections OF the Dis
trict and for an hour or more after the announce
meRt was made but little work was done in the
different Departments. major portion Of the
heads OF bureaus, Cabinet officers and other off,
Gals were on the scene. Secretary Robson was
on deck and looked on with great concern, and
expressed his approval Of the manner the fremen
were working.
The police arrangements were complete, and
Lieut.: Greer, with Sergeants Trunnell and
SWindells, we're early on the ground, with all
their available force, and Major Richards and
Capt. Brock, on their arrival, saw TO the dispOsi-
tiOn Of the force generally.
The clerks and other employees 10 the Navy
and War Departments took hold, and did all in
their power towards subduing the flames.
MI Peter Komara bricklayer employed on the
State Department building, while getting out of
asky-light, to save some Of the contents OF the
building, fell through and cut his left wrist Sc
verey. He was removed to Moore's drug store,
on the corner Of Seventeenth street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue, where Drs. Turner, .; s; N, Win
which he was removed to his home in Shepherds
alley.
Alter the flames were thought to be entirely
exti3guisbed an engine was detailed to remain
near the scene, to be in readiness in case there
should be an overlooked spark that mightdO mis-
Chief, but after being on duty several hours the
engine was taken home, without doing further
service.
There are various causes assigned for the fire
-6ne that 1t originated from defective nus And
the other that it was caused BY spontaneous COM
bustion, as was the fire Of last spring. The mat
ter will be thoroughly Investigated,
AMER the fire Of last spring no important papers
have been stored in the upper story Of the build
ing, and the value OF this precautiOn is found in
the result Of the FIRE Of yesterday, when few pa
peIs Of great worth perished.
The thapEs Of the department are due to the
enterprisinR and worthy superintendent OF the
force of workmen employed on the new state De-
partment building. VI BIS Ioree Of carpenters,
directed to place ladders at the rear windows of
the wing Of the Navy Department, and in a few
minutes all papers of value were removed and
stored in the new building, and there placed
under the care Of responsible watchmen. Many
thousands OF important papers and reports, by
the efforts OF Mr.. Dendry, escaped certain dam
age, and perhaps destruction, by water.