The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-21
SAVED! LIVES.
Gallant Work of Police at
North End Fire.
Officer Hennessey Shows Up
as Great Fire Fighter.
Lamp Exploded and Tenants Became
Paralyzed by Fear.

has occurred in the North End OF the
city in long time took place early last
evening. The damage was not very
great, but at one time 1t looked TO the
men who were fighting stiff binding
blaze of fire as II several lives would be
lost. The fire fighters fought with that
almost superhunan energy that such an
occasion seems to place in the control OF
brave determined men.
Not exactly as soldiers waiting for the
enemy did officers Hennessey, Briggs, an
McCartin sit in front OF the second police
station last night. They were men
whose duty for the night was apparently
to be late duty. They were simply taking
in the fresh air and telling few yarns
OF as ordinary affairs as men could
talk about. Patrol driver, Frank Nc
Gair, was In the barn waiting for the
next wagon call TO take in dunk or
some other unfortunate that was safer in
side than out, even such night as last
night was.
1t was 7:20 O'Clock by one OF the mems
watches, for some one had noted the time
just then, when officer Hennossey saw
blaze. like I hat made by a rocket, in a
tenement in building across from what
Is, or was once, called Moodwari square,
but is generally known simply as Chal k
stone avenue. He rushed into the sta
tion, told Lieutenant Murray what he
uhu btSu uuu tDSu Hi DhnuS LOT
the scene OF the explosion. 1t was worse
than they at first thought for ere they
had all reached the bottom OF the station
steps the tenement, in which the explo-
sion had taken place, was brilliantly illu-
minated.
The house where the fire was, was own
ed by Max Freedman. II was ar once re-
called that very large families lived in
these small snd Old tenements. This wss
but an incentive to the police officers to
move quickly, some one peron might be
caught in the house and find difficulty in
getting out. Little did they think that
instead of one there were within the ten
ement about half dozen persons who
had crowded into two rooms. with no
way of egress they could take advantage
Of, and who were SO paralyzed with fear
that they could DO nothing for them
selves.
The outer door was reached and across
the small. low entry went officer
Hennessey, and to the door of the tene-
ment where the blaze was; the heat OF
the fire and the smell of the
smoke now touched Lieutensnt
Murray and his men. The door
OF the tenement did not Weld; the door
had probably been locked before the ex-
plcsion took place. Bang against the
door went officer Hennessey, not very
big man, but one of those fellows that
give constant proof that strength and
force when needed are not lacking where
size may re. The door gave way. Then
the sight was one that made that old
veteran, Lieutenant Murray. think 1t was
not only that the fire was a hot one, but
there fell upon bis ears ana the ears OF
those under him the cries OF womeL who
seemed to be sure of a death by fire.
There was, too, the cries of an infant
more afraid OF the dark of the room in
which 1t was, than of anything else. The
words OF petition for help seemed not for
eign words, though those who used
them were unfamiliar with the language
of the men who were coming to their as
for they came from human
hearts and they were answered by the
quick intelligence OF men who proved the
power that lies In men over all elements
by reason of the strength and power given
them.
1t was time for action and action
there was OF the kind that told. Officer
Hennessey and his panions saw that
lamp which had exploded had set fire ii
some draperies around the windows put
up in honor of the paschal time, for the
occupants OF the tenement were OF the Ole
faith. The flames found easily digestible
food in these, and there was also bed in
the room and this, too. was in flames,
and the woodwork was ablaZe. The
house was an old one. Hennessey, with
an instinct that would have done credit
TO one in the Little Corporal's ranks,
and would have won him the medal OF
the legion, rushed into the tenement
across the way, grabbed pillow case,
wet it in nearby pail of wafer, and
started beating the fire out. Then Nc
Gair, who was once a valued member of
the fire department, but who is now pa
troll driver, and who never did better
work than he did on this occasion, start
ed with broom to help beat out the
blaze. Lieut.. Murray heard the cries of
the women and the child and not think
Ing then OF the folly of the former in
going into the two rooms started TO get
them out. The windows OF the rooms
could not be reached In time from the out.
side for thev were quite distance from the
ground. Hennessey beat the path for the
lieutenant and McGaIr, too, assisted him
by the use Of his broom, and Officer
Briggs, who had returned from ringing
In the alarm, helped the lieutenant. |
the smoke and heat the two late |
ter went and finailys all of the women and |
children were got in safety TO the exterior |
Of the building. McGair took up the |
partially burning bed, for the fire In IL |
had been somewhat dimished by the use |
Of the pillow case and the broom. and |
threw 10 out OF window. The remnants |
Of the draperies were torn down and |
fhen the fire department arrived, and the |
little that was left OF the fire was ex- |
tinguished. II had been so well beaten
out by Hennessey and McGair that il |
was not necessary TO put the hose on. |
Officer Hennessey then began 10 think |
how 1t had all happened and then came a |
severe pain, or at least he first noticed IL, |
and he found his nose and face had been |
marked by the heat and fire; not very |
severely II Is true, but just enough TO be !
very disagreeablc.
"A man prouder OF those under him than |
The Lieutenant at the Second station was |
The family OF Hermann. Hecker oc- |
cupied the tentment where the fire was |
and their furniture was damaged 90 the |
extent Of s25, and to repair ,he building |
will probably cost 100 moro There were |