The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-05-15
RUNNINa To a LIE.
Response Of New YorlE's Department
to an Alarm of Fire.

Gan Alarm Of Fire by Telegraph Is
the subject of an article by Charles T.
Hill in ST. Nicholas. After describing
the outbreak of a fire in kitchen in
West Sixteenth Street, and the pulling
of an alarm from corner box, Mr.. Hill
says: The alarm has been sent. 1t
may seem like an age to the owner as
he stands waiting for the fremen to
appear, but it is a matter of only few
seconds; for within twenty seconds this
station number is ringing in a score or
more of engine-houses, and within one
minute and half six companies of APP
paratus are on their way to this box.
He looks up and down the avenue,
and what does he see?
Turning into Seventh Avenue at the
intersection of Greenwich Avenue, five
blocks to the south Of where he stands,
a fire-engine apears, drawn by three
plunging gray horses. As it straightens
out into the broad avenue, they dash
madly toward where he stands. A
hOse-wagon follows, filed with sturdy
men donning rubber coats and fire-hats.
The bells Of both engine and wagon
are ringing furiously, and the whistle
Of the former keeps up a series of short
shrieks.
1t is truly an imposing sight, and he
almost forgets the destruction that
threatens his home.
AS he looks up the avenue he sees
approaching from Twentieth Street.
four blocks to the north, another piece
Of apparatus-a heavy affair that
sways from side to side as it swings
from one car track to another This
is truck" or hook-and-ladder COM
pany, and 1t is preceded by a light
wagon containing two men, one driv-
ing, while the other looks eagerly ahead
for the appearance Of fire. This is the
chief Of the 7th Battalion, who after
ward has charge of the fire. Whistles
and bells in the two adjoining streets
to the north tell Of the approach Of more
engines. One is coming from the east,
the other from the west. The engine
approaching from the east turns the
corner Of Eighteenth Street, two blocks
above, just as the one coming from the
south Is over block away. 1t is now a
mad race between the two to see which
will first reach the box. The one APP
preaching from the south has the adj
vantage of clear run up the avenue,
however, and arrives at the corner be-
fore the other. The man at the box
indicates by pointing to his home the
location of the fire, and the driver Of
this engine, who knows the hydrants
in his district as well as he knows the
stations, turns the corner on run and
pulls his horses up beside a hydrant
nearly opposite the fire.
Another truck company has followed
this first appearing engine, also COM
ing from the south. Another battalion
chief has turned the corner of Four
teenth Street, coming from the east,
and following him a strengthening
apparatus = a four-wheeled wagon,
carrying what one might almost call
an enormous cannon with an inverted
muzzlc-this is a "water-tower." Still
another detachment dashes toward the
box from the north. This is a big red
wagon drawn by two noble animals
that are covering the ground with great
leaps. 1t is filled with men wearing
white rubber coats and red fire hats.
This is a section of the fire-insurance
patrol, and they come to protect proper
ty from damage by water, and to save
what they can. The third engine COM
ing from the west follows and pulls up
at hydrant on the corner and awaits
orders"
The first company to arrive have
rushed into the basement with their
hose. The engine is at work in an in
slant, and a few dashes of water ex-
tinguishes the fire. The fire-insurance
patrolmen go through the building,
opening windows to let the smoke es-
cape, and ascertain the amount of dam
age done, Members of the first truck
company to arrive assist the men from
the engine company in putting out any
remaining traces of fire, by pulling
down woodwork, plaster, ETC., in the
kitchen. The other companies stand
ready to get to work until ordered ito
quarters" by the battalion chief; and
soon there is little evidence of fire
beyond a wet pavement and a badly |
wrecked kitchen.