Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-08
One in a Residence Block Proves
 Disastrous.
NOTABLE INNOVATION
In Removing Hose-A Dog Does Rem arkable Work in Pulling
 Hose Through a Gutter.

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 7.-Th esSixth dis trict was visited by an extensive copf,gra- ton this morning, in which several hand some residences were destroyed and others damaged. The prevailing high wind as- sisted the fire in it's work of destruction, and the fire laddies were compelled to work long and hard before they succeeded in gaining control of the element. The de- partment did excellent work, and through their efforts the balance of the block, which would probably have been destroyed but for timely and effective action, was saved. They were considerably handicapped by the bad streets, and the drivers of the different engines experienced considerable difficulty in getting to point within close range of the fire.
 The fire was discovered shortly before o'clock. An alarm was also sent in by telephone. The department responded as quickly as possible, but on their arrival the blazs had made considerable headway, hav n spread to all portions of the house in which it started.
 It was not long after before several strea ms were playing on the ire, but the department was no match for the wind ana fire combined and the blaze continued to spread. The residence was destroyed, and the rear of several residences on Prytania street next caught and were destroyed.
 The inmates of the residences which were attecked lost no lime in deserting their homes and seeking shelter in places of the chilly blasts which were blowing. Several other fires of lesser sizs have oc- cured in various parts of the city.
 The total loss IS about S25 ,0O0.
 During the fire one of the most curious innovations was made in the way of re- sumption of car traffic without interference with the efficiency of the fire department. The engines responding to an alarm are posted, as is well known, often cue or more blocks from the fire in order to water plugs, and the hose, which often runs across car tracks, stops all traffic and inconveniences the public greatly.
 Alter the fire is partly under control it has been customary to fasten rope to a piece of wood, which is allowed to drift across the street in the gutter running at crossi ngs, across the car tracks. This morn- ing 1t was found, on account of insufficient current, to te an impossibility, and some one suggested that "Black Chief, small black dog belonging to the chemi- cal engine of No. 2 company, should do the work.
 Under Chief O'Connor's directions strong rope was tied to the ''BIack Chief" and the dog put in the gutter on the down. town river side of Prytania and Constanti- tional intelligence, soon understood what be was expected to do, and iu a few minutes large crowd was watching the operation and saw him emerge from the gutter from the St. Charles side of Pryta- mia street. It was now easy to fasten the other end of the rope to the hose and pull it the same way the dog had gone and con- meet with an engine stand on St. Charles street. Many people who were impa- tiently waiting in the cars to go down to their business places were delighted st this dog and not the fire was the center of at- traction for the large crowds.
 Chief O'Connor said that it was the frat time since the department existed that such trial has been made, and it is expected that "Black Chief' will now be put on the pay roll of tLe department as a regular emplove