Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-13
FATALITY AT A FIRE.
A Brave Fireman Loses His Life in a
Smoke Trap.
The JanitOr of a Building Also Has n
Basement of the Blau Building.

At an early hour last evening there was
fatal fire in the Blau building, at the
northwest corner of 14th and G streets
Considerable damage was also done to the
building. Foreman Zadock Williams of
the chemical engine lost his life through
suffocation. and Edward Allen, the colored
janitor. was found in an unconscious con-
dition on the second floor of the burning
building. 1t was about $50 O'Clock when
Correspondents Crounse and Bangs of the
World bureau, which is located on the
ground floor of the building on the 14th
street side, discovered fire in the building.
A telephone message soon brought the
chemical engine to the scene of the fire.
The flames had seemingly gained such
Roadway that Foreman Williams ordered
one of his men to have an alarm sounded,
which brought several engine companies
to the scene. 1t was difficult for a time to
locate the fire and to get the streams of
water upon it. Smoke issued in dense and
suffocating volumes. apparently coming
through the floor and walls Of the World
office. Finally the flames were reached in
the rear Of the basement beneath that
Office where they had originated.
How Williams Died.
While waiting for the arrival of the en-
eihC anu COMPANIES, rOTcuidu w III
Jams went in the basement to operate his
chemical extinguisher in hope of getting
the fire well under control. His failure to
return from that part of the burning build
ing caused no great alarm. for his comrades
thought Of course that he was in a safe
place, but in this they were mistaken, for
the door leading to the particular part of
the building in which the fire started, it
appears. had closed on him, and he was
confined there In the cloud Of smoke I'M
able to get out. Soon after the arrival of
the engines the members of No. / COM
pany had flooded the basement. While
Foreman Boss and others were working
there in the dark, Foreman Boss stumbled
over Williams inanimate form. Foreman
Williams was lying on the floor, with
his face downward in six inches of water
When being carried to the pavement out
side there was but little, If any. signs of
life. The patrol wagon carried the unfor-
tunate fireman quickly to the Emergency
Hospital, but he was dead when the ply
sicians there examined him. The deceased
was in the building 1t is thought, fully
fifteen or twenty minutes before he was
discovered.
The JanitOr's Narrow Escape.
Soon after the finding of Foreman Will
liams, and when the fire was under control,
one of the firemen found on the second
floor Edward Allen. the colored janitor, who
AAo DNSh Cut Oh lHOIu ESCAPE Dy the SN1Oke
and heat. He was unconscious. but when
taken to the Emergency Hospital his con-
dition improved.
The origin of the fire could not be ascer-
tanned. The building is owned by Herman
T.. Blau. The real estate Office of Banes &
simpson Is on the first floor, adjoining the
World cffice, while on the second floor is
the office Of John F. Waggaman, as is that
of the briggs Ordnance Company. The loss
amounted to about $500, of which 800 was
to the World office. The Lincoln and CO.
lunbia Insurance companies will settle the
bills.
The body Of the dead fireman was taken
to the engine house from the hospital, and
later was removed to the late home of the
deceased, No. 1918 G street southeast.
Relief Fund.
Soon after the flames had been extin-
guished a fund was started for the family
of the deceased fireman, who was twenty
six years old, and who leaves a wife and
child. Those who contributed to the fund
were Banes & Simpson. $50; Herman E.
Rlau. SIS; Charles G. Sloan. SO: Mr.. Har-
rington, SO; Robert Z. Morris and John +.
Waggaman, SIS.
& Simpson will receive all contributions
that may be made, to the fund. The cir
Of the case are distressing, the
little family being left completely destitute
by the tragedy.
Two Other Fires.
Yesterday fire took place at No. 200 N
street southeast. occupied as a store by
John Jordan. and before the flames were
the loss was about $1,000.
John Borland. a white boy, during the fire
was overcome by suffocation, but was res
cued and taken to his home. 1904 Sd street
southeast, where DIR. o. H. Coombs at
tended him.
Last night fire broke out in the rear Of
2f23 street northwest, and the flames
spread to the sheds in the rear of 24l9,
2i21, 2i23 1-2 and 2425, all Of them occupied
by colored families. They were owned by
Dr. Robert Reyburn, and the loss was about
81. 600.