Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-18
I'd { X 7 A
400 O'CLOCK p. VI.
A SERIOUS FIRE.
The Store Of Guy, Curran & Co. in
Flames.
THE fIREMEN'S HARD TASK.
Considerable Difficulty in Getting
to Work.
THE FIREMEN'S HARD TASK.
BUILDINGs SUFFER

Curran Co.'S dry gosds. notions, &C.. 81 9th
street. about 8: 25 this afternoon with such vio-
lence that the employees we're obliged to leave
the building in all possible haste.
ORIGINATED IN THE BASEMENT.
The flames originated in the basement di-
rectly beneath the Office in the main store.
The origin of the fire is attributed to defect
i've fiue. An alarm CT fire was at once turned
In and the fire department responded with
promptness.
The work OF fighting the flames was carried
on while an immense crowd of spectators that
thronged all the adjoining streets watched the
progress made by the fire department in their
contest with the flames.
A FEELING OF ANXIETY
The location of the building standing as it
does almost in the center of a block of business
houses gave rise to feeling of anxiety lest
the valuable property should be entirely swept
away.
On one side is the large paint establishment
of Francis Miller while on the other is the
building occupied by Mr.. Duncanson as an
auction house. In a portion of this latter build
ing is located the business of the Sonoma Wine
Company.
The building and the adjoining property ex-
tend back to the buildings which front on d
street and also on the avenue. the whole con-
shutting an important business area.
The Guy. Curran & Co. building will be COM
pletely Quilted and what damage may be done
to the Duncanson building cannot be estimated
now.
Mr.. Curran was seen by STAR reporter but
he said he could give no estimate of the amount
OF the damage. The stock, he said, was
insured but he thought the insurance would
not cover the total amount of loss
When engine No., Q reached the fire it was de-
layed on account of frozen fire plug and the
condition of the street that prevented the en-
CINE from getting in position.
An entrance was effected by breaking open
the door and then an effort was made to sub
due the flames.
The other engines as they arrived were as
signed to the rear of the buildings and all
worked with a will, but under decided disad-
vantage.
The Somona California Wine Company in
the front part of the Duncanson building will
probably suffer considerable loss from water
and smoke.
THE POLICE ARRANGEMEyrs
Major Moore was quickly on the scene and
Immediately took charge of the police force.
Lieuts. Amiss, Kelly and Boyle each with
squad of men were on hand.
Ropes were stretched and the crowd was
kept within bounds so that the firemen had an
uninterrupted opportunity to battle with the
flames
When the fire broke out a matinee was in
progress at the Academy but the audience was
assured that there no danger and the play
proceeded without any fear
NOT TIME TO LOCK THE SAFE.
Mr.. Ingram Of Guy, Curran & Co. had not
time enough to lock the firm Is safe, SO rapidly
did the flames and smoke spread.
The employees of the firm attempted for a
time to extinguish the fire, but it had gained
such Roadway that they were compelled to
escape quickly as possible.
Chief Paris, upon arriving at the fire, inn
mediately turned in general alarm and the
efforts of the entire department were soon di-
rected to preventing the fire from spreading to
the adjoining buildings.
THE FLAMES BURST FORTH.
At 4 O'Clock the flames burst forth from the
building in renewed force and the buildings on
the north including the one occupied by Dun
canson Bros, the auctioneers. appeared to be
doomed.
NO FIREWORKS IN THE BUILDING.
One Of the clerks in the burned store stated
that there were no fireworks in the building.
AN UNCOMFORTABLE RuMoR.
Uptown a report that the Academy Of Music
was burning was freely circulated and it caused
considerable excitement among those who had
friends at tho matinee that was in progress.
There was no panic in the theater.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS WORK.
Engine Company No. 2, with Foreman Mad
dox. was the first to arrive, and the other COM
panies, 2, 8, 4, 5. 6. I, and 8. and truck COM
panles A, B and @, with the chemical engine
were soon on the ground. Chief Paris directed
the general plan Of fighting the fire, assisted by
Assistant Chiefs Belt and Lowe.
Chief Belt attacked the fire from the rear
with companies 5, 4. 6, and and truck A, while
Chief Lowe took the front and poured three
streams into the burning buildings from COM
panies q 8, and 9.
The flames burst with great force out of the
third story and truck was sent for. A
water tower was made and two compsuiss
deluged the flames from . position 60. feet in
the air.
HARD TIxE IN TIE REAR.
While the Aremen were battling with the
flames in the front those under Chief Bet we're
having hard time in the rear.
The marrow alley between Axmour's Paint