The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-12
POOR FIRE FACILITIES.
FIVE FACTS DEMONSTRATED BY FRI
DAYS DOUBLE DISASTER.
More Engines and Men, Better Hose
and Streets, and an Improved Water
Supply ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Insur
ance Rates Probable,

There are few fires in Memphis which
do not demonstrate that the city is poorly
equipped for desperate emergency in the
way OF a confagration.
Those OF Friday evening at the brewery
and in the Irving block, were particularly
forcible in this respect.
When the alarm was turned in from the
brewery all the engines, save an extra one
stored in the No. 8 company engine house,
responded. There can be little censure
attached to the fire department, under
Assistant Chief James Burke, for the To-
cation OF the danger and the property
jeopardized demanded prompt and vigor-
GUS combat. Neither was given. 1t re-
quired more time than should have been
necessary to reach the scene, owing to
rough street pavements. Only one engine
company-that located on lower Main
street-rcached the fire in less than ten
minutes after the alarm. The others did
the best possible under the multiplicity OF
disadvantages by which they were con.
fronted, aud when they did finally arrive
the faithful horses attached to the respec-
tive engines were almost ready TO expire
from heat and exhaustion.
Hardly had the firemen in their limited
numbers begun to fight the flames when
the hose burst in every quarter, wasting
water and retarding success in suppress.
ing the fire. At one time but one stream
could be thrown, owing to the breakage
and the giving out OF water. Had the
conditions been different, the brewery
would not have suffered as greatly, and
the chances are the adjoining dwelling
would have escaped.
While the small department was strug-
Cling against adverse circumstances at the
brewery, an alarm was sent in for force
OF fire fighters to give attention TO the IT.
wing block. This was shortly after o'clock
p. m, but the intelligence was delayed in
reaching the department. The best that
could be done was 10 mount three men on
Jagged out horses, send them TO pull out
and put in action the one extra engine,
which could not be accomplished in less
than half an hour. This was Just about
the time consumed by accurate test, and
before the first stream Of water was thrown
the burning building seemed doomed.
Acting Chief Burke called OFF and dis
patched other engines TO the new danger
as they could be spared. but 10 what
avail? There more hose burst, water gave
out, and the wonder is that heavier dam
age was not done.
Summed up the two fires demonstrated
the following facts;
That the city IL deficient in the number
OF fire engines and men TO handle them.
That 1t is deficient in supply OF good
hose.
That Il Is deficient in water supply.
That ii is deficient in good streets.
Here are five facts for the city author.
ties 10 consider.
Last year the losses by fire In Memphis
consumed the earnings Of the insurance
companies for three or four years.
Fridays fires entailed losses Of about
100000, or about one-third OF the total
:. receipts OF all the local companies for q
year.
The citizens pay taxes. and are entitled
10 receive consideration looking TO their
protection against such calamities.
Full insurance cannotand does not com
pensate when such wholesale ,destruc.
ton takes place.
Insurance companies have certain rom.
edics for their relief II they want TO apply
them, by an increase OF rates. But that
should be made the last resort 20 force
the city authorities TO do their duty. Still,
unless the defects in the fire service, as
given above, are remedied, people may
have 10 undergo the additional charges
,hat have been made in other cities Tor
yhc same reason.