Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-07-25
FIRE AND Loss OF I1FE-Georee w

FIRE AND Loss OF LIFE.-George w.
knoX's big warehouse and stables, at
Second and B streets northwest, Wash
ington, occupying a half block, were
destroyed by fire at 2:20 o'clock this
morning. The loss will probably reach
S250,000. 205 horses, which were
on the second and third floors of the
big four-story stables, were burned.
There was no way by which they could
be taken out Nothing was saved from
the Knox building. All of his heavy
transfer wagons, 30 or more, were de-
stroyed The Adams Express Compa-
ny stables, adjoining the Knox building
on the west, were also burned. Over
$50 horses that were in the stable on
the first floor were safely taken
out Three iremen lost their lives
Samuel f. Mastin, Michael Fen
ton and Dennis Donohue-and four
were badly injured. There were
several minor accidents where slight
wounds were received by some who
ventured too near the burning build
Jugs. Eight two-story houses on the
alley, north of the Knox building, and
two small frame houses back OF the
Adams stables, were also destroyed.
Six or eight other residence houses were
more or less damaged. As the fire
ragged it became hotter and hotter.
Persons could not pass on B or Second
street for the intense heat. The fire
men were obliged to wet each other re-
peatedly before they could approach
within working distance of the build
ings. The men who had to hold lines
OF hose on the b street front Of the
Knox building were obliged TO lie fiat
on their stomachs and hold their faces
TO the ground, so awful was the heat.
Shortly before O'Clock Il. III. the most
terrible incident of the fire occurred.
The fremen had carried their hose into
the burning warehouse through one of
the large rear doors. This door was
held up by weighted ropes and the
men had just entered the building
when the ropes burned through and
the heavy wooden door fell, pening
them in. The work of cutting through
the door was Immediately begun and
was all but finished when the floors
above fell with.a crash. The immense
weight burst out the door and crushed
Mastin and Fenton to death. Three
others were with difficulty dragged out
of the debris alive. In about five min
utes the portion of the outside wall i'm
mediately over the door gave way, ELL
ing the wide alley, but injuring no one.
The massive iron girder over the door
held. leaving the door almost clear. In
this clearing. lying on his face, his head
and right arm exposed, lay Assistant
Foreman Mastin. a twelve inch beam
lying across his shoulders had crushed
out his life and now held him pinned
to the ground. Shortly before II
O'Clock to-day the bodies of iiremen
Michael Fenton and Dennis Donohue
were found. They were lying near the
place where the remains of Mastln were
discovered. 1t was pitiful sight to
see Donohue with his body thrown
across that of Fenton and his hand still
firmly grasping the nozzle of the hose
which he had been using when the door
fell. Fenton's body was burned beyond
recognition and was identified by the
alarm box key found in his pocket. All
firemen are now accounted for but 1t Is
thought that one of the Knox en-
ployes is still in the ruins. Mr.. John
o. Knox, one of the owners of the
building, was thrown from his buggy
this morning while on his way to the
fire and severely injured. Abortion OF
the Knox Building was used as stor-
age warehouse, and all articles therein
were destroyed. TheKnox brothers were
insured for$75, 900. Mr.. Crawford Crook,
formerly of this city, lost a quantity of
furniture he had slowed in the build
ing. The light from the fire could be
seen in this city, and the Alexan-
dria firemen expected every moment to
be called on to aid in Distinguishing the
flames