National Republican., 1875-06-04
NEW ENGINE HOUSE.

Number Comfortably in Their New Quarters.
When it was decided to extend the grounds of
the Capitol 1t was found necessary to remove the
Columbia engine house, located on New Jersey
avenue, near the Capitol, which was occupied by
No. Engine Company, Of the Washington fire
department. This necessitsted the providing of
other quarters for No. 3 company, and @ tempo
rary building was erected on North Capitol near
Sixth street, and No. company last November
ing been made by Congress for the erection Of
suita BILE permanent building, Mr.. Edward Clark,
architect of the Capitol set about at once to build
the present edihce, which is located on Delaware
avenue, near Q street northeast and Monday last
it was taken possession of by the fire department
and company 3 changed quarters to the new
over to Architect CLARK. This change greatly
pleased company boys, for now they have all
judging from the appearance Of the men and the
executive ability Of the foreman, the building
will be kept in No. condition.
THE NEW BUILDING.
The building is Of red pressed brick, with Sen
ecA stone trimmings. fronting on Delaware ave-
nue.. The main building is two stories high, with
a mansaTd roof. with front IS feet 10 inches by
26l3 feet wide: On the ground floor there are two
double doors for the exit Of the engine and hose
carriage, and on the side next TO street is pri-
Tate entrance. The floors are Of yellow pine,
while the portion on which the engine and hose
carriage rests are Of cement It is intended.
to have its front doors so arranged that, by
means Of pulleys and q cord hanging over the
seats Of the drivers of the engine and hose-car-
riage, which they will pull when all is ready,
they may be opened so soon as the horses are
hitched, and therefore prevent any accidents by
its horses starting before everything is ready.
On the second floor is the bed room, 3314 feet by
20 feet, with all the convenences. such as places
for the mems clothes, racks, &c. This room is oak
grained and yellow pine oiled. The room is
reached from the first floor by flight Of yellow
pine stairs and so arranged as to take up as little
room as possible.
THE REAR BUILDING.
On the ground floor of this building are four
in front being clay for the fore feet OF the horses
The stalls are handsomely arranged. On the
side are wire tenders arranged so as to give a
snowy appearance. These are closed by heavy
yellow pine doors.
On the second floor is a readngroom, II By 2I
feet sitting room, ~ by 81 feet, with oak grained
also wateT-closets, wash and bath rooms and
closets supplied with all the modern convent
ences. Above is a tower, in which the alarm
bell is located. The building Is thirty-five feet
ten inches wide by fiGty-eight feet deep. The
roof is covered with slate. The entire building
is so constructed as to have everything at hand
District. There is but one thing lacking, that is
its furniture. 1t should be furnished in good
style to be in keeping with the building.
ALARM ARRANGEMENT,
attached to the hammer Of the alarm bell, is a
wire, which runs down to the keys in the staples
OF the stall dOors. and when the alarm is sounded
the strokes Of the hammer pulls the wire and
draws the keys from the staples and the doors fly
the engine and hose carriage and in four seconds
time they are on their way TO fire. This arrange
ment is very complete AM one that should be in
an the engine. houses; me building has been
much pleased with the arrangements and be-
slowed the highest praise upon its architect
builder and the Board of Fire Commissioners. 1t
is really grand Improvement to that section of
the city.