The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-19

"Who Is TO blame for the disastrous
fro OF early yesterday morning?" was
one of the questions considered and dis
cussed on the streets Of Roanoke yester-
day. Tho origin of the fire is mystery.
Tho interior Of WineskeY's shop was
ablaze when tho fire was flrst discovered,
and there is u suspicion that it was Of
inccndiary origin.
Tho Fire Department is not FREQ from
censure. Frank Ray, who is acting en-
gineer in the absence of w. r. Hesser,
tho regular engineer, says that the
valves of the engine were not IN good
order on account of tho work OF pump
ing out cellars several days ago The
engine worked all right when last us, d.
but had not been tested since the work
in the cellars. Some of the officers OF
the Fire Department say that the en-
CINE was all right, but that Ray did not
know how TO operate it to pump water
out OF Lick Run. docs the Fro De-
partment wait till FIRE occurs to ascer.
tain whether the engines and other ap-
paratus are in working order?" is
another question that has been fro
Quently asked.
Tho water company has not escaped
criticism, though they make out clear
case, Manager Rawn, when asked by
TINES reporter, what he bad to say as
to why the water WAS cut off. replied
that on October IL he addressed letter
to Chief Knepp, OF tho fire department,
notifying him that The water would be
cut oil from o p. ~. until Il. m. until
rI<,, ......
ono OF the pumps is completed Chief
Knepp was notified that in case of fire
tho water company would turn on the
wator immediately upon notifica: sion by
telephone.
Ono OF the pumps is being overha uied
and many parts Of it rebuilt. Manager
Rawn says That it is absolutely neces.
sary to cut eff the water during tho
hours mentioned to keep up the supply
in the day and keep tho necessary re-
servo in the reservoir. When both
pumps are in repair both are kept going
in the day and one at night.
" How long does it require for the
main to I'LL or tho water to become
available after notification of fire Is re-
ceived," Mr.. Rawn was asked.
'That depends upon the location"
was the reply. when the water is cut
low places and in large part of the
city the supply lasts ali night. The
water should reach the location Of the
Commonwealth avenue flre in twenty
minutes or half an hour"
A runor was in circulation yesterday
that fremen went to the pump house to
ask that water be turned on and wore
informed by the engineer in charge that
an order from Manager Rawn was neces-
sary. According to the story Mr.. Rawn
was very angry for being disturbed in
his sleep for so trivial matter. Mr.
Rawn denounced the story as lie out
OF the whole CLOTH and said that the
water was turned on as soon as the
pump house was notified OF the fire.
The firemen charge that the Tele-
phone Company is responsible for the
delay in getting the notice OF the fire
to the pump house. They claim that
they tried to got tho Central Office from
Sisters und taking establishment. but
were unable to do so. Finally Mr. John
e. Engleby went to the Office, and, after
nearly kicking the door down. aroused
the operator aid secured communica-
ton with the pump house. The night
operator at the central Office says that
he notified the pump house as soon as he
was called, and that the water had been
turned on when Mr.. John Il Engleby
arrived at the Office.
Manager Wright says he knows moth
ing of the facts further than the state
ments of the firemen and tho operator.
The operator says he was not asleep
when Mr.. Engleby called, and that the
door did not have to take kicking in
order that he might be aroused from mis-
slum bers.
Mr. Engleby was seen by TIMES re.
porter last night, and he said that the
operator certainly was asleep. When he
arrived at the office he had to pound and
kick on the door for quite awhile before
he could wake him.
Last night Manager Wright, of the
telephone exchange, suspended tho
night operator pending an in vestigation.
The insurance on the property de-
Charles Lunsford e. Sons, and Mr.. Luns.
ford said yesterday that he would report
the facts in the case to the companies,
with the recommendation that the Gas
and Water Company and the Telephone
Company be held responsible for. the
damage.
Mrs. Wright's loss is $1,000, with
$1,000 insurance. Mrs. Pendergrast,
who lived in Mrs. Wright's house, lost
$500 in cash, gold and bank notes. She
estimates the damage to her furniture
at $500. Mr.. McLaughlin's house was
damaged $500. covered by insurance.
II. l.. Bowling and Mrs. Hilbert, who
lived in McLaughlins house, had their
furniture damaged to the amount of
5000. Swallenberger saved his iurni-
ture and had 5000 insurance on his
house. There was Sl,4OO insurance on
Winesky's house and stock
The furniture WAS strewn along the
avenue for some distance ard it was
with consid era bile di fficultv that IT. was