Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-21
40 o'CLoSh l.. M.
UP IN FLAMES
Another Big Fire on
9th Street Tonight.
AN EXCITING SCENE
A Business Block Threatened With
Destruction.
AN EXCITING SCENE
HARD WORK FOR FIREMEN.

About 5:45 o'clock tonight an alarm Of FIRE
struck from Box 1873, corner of 9th and
streets. Soon a great black cloud
OF smoke gave notice of a big conhagration.
1t was in the same neighborhood as the fire of
Wednesday night and this fact served to in
crease the excitement
The first alarm was followed within few
the whole fire department.
The fire, which had originated in Francis
Millers paint establishment, Nos. sos and 3o7
9th street, at 6 o'clock, seemed to threaten
not only the complete destruction OF
that building. but also the
adjoining buildings on the north, occupied by
the Goodyear Rubber Co., and the building
next on the south, occupied by Seaton Perry.
Those early on the ground said they had
heard two explosions in the basement
Of Miller's establishment. The story then was
that colored porter had gone into the base
ment with light and started the conaaera-
ton.
The flames had swept up through the large
double building and the infammable materials
with which it was stored gave forth q dense
black smoke
The fire crept along the roof Of the building
to Perry's. on the south, and to the Goodyear
Company's store on the north
As the darkness OF the night, which was
falling when the alarm was struck, increased.
the fire assumed even which lighted ND
thu heavens and the great mass Of smoke with
dull red glow answered even a more threaten
ing aspect. 1t appeared then that the whole
square was threatened.
THE FIREMEN's WORK
Chief Paris was among the frst-on hand and
took in the situation in a glance and realized
the importance Of the pr oblem he had to deal
with. He detailed Chiefs Dow and Belt to
attack the fire from the front while he with
engine companies No. 8, and fought it from
the rear.
An entrance was gained through Hoeke's
carpet store and the three streams we're poured
from the rear windows of the establishment.
As luck would have it the firemen did not have
to wait a moment for water. All of the plugs
were free and in an incredible short space of
time eight streams Of water were pouring ON
the burning building
WHERE 1T RACED WORST
The fire ragged the severest in the rear of
Millers paint store whore it is believed it orig
mated 1t quickly spread to the adjoining, and
soon, as stated, Perry's handsome dry goods
store was in imminent danger.
The fremen we're in great peril. Millers
paint store was stored with combustibles
and there was said to be . large amount Of
kerosene and benzine in the building.
1t looked as if the whole block was doomed.
Flames were mounting skyward and an i'm
mense crowd, attracted by the bright light,
was at hand. The entire reserve police force
WAS soon on duty.
THE rrREMEN DRIVEN AWAY.
Flames burst from the third story Of Miller's
store and drove the firemen from their position
on the ladders where they were fighting the
fire.
~S~ 800 ocClAcu cSeE Wuere. no 00l q
to q reporter Of The STAR a. he ran by that it
was by far the largest fire Of the year.
The old engine at the arsenal and tho old
wooden trucks were pressed into service, and
the full strength of the department called out.
DISCUSSING THE ORIGIN.
As far as could be learned while the fire was
raging from people who really do not seem to
know much about il the fire had its orr
gin in the third story Of Miller's and near the
rear.
How it was caused could no. even be guessed at
that time, for none Of the employees Of the house
are visible. Causes were not, however, beiag
discussed to any considerable extent, Tor every
body in the tremendous crowd was wondering
whether or not IL was in the power Of the de-
partment to extinguish the Ere untn the inaam-
maable the material gave out
PEARS or An HxPLosIox.
Almost - soon - the alarm sounded he
word went around. "Look out for An sxplo-