The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-09
Dangerous Spots in the
City in Case of Fire.
Localities That Would Be
Soon Swept by Flames.
Flinsily Built Structures That are
Marked by Firemen.

| Wy pOioic io'u NtHlffudN, pfOihptcu
an old fireman and close observer 70 re.
mark that there would come an alarm
some day from that quarter that would
not be false and il would be big blaze,
too, for 10 is one Of the threatening fire
sections. He went on to say that there
were several places, if fire ever started in
them, that would make big bonfire
and perhaps be the means of destroying IA
large amount of property
The danger of such place as that at
Olneyville consisted principally in the
distribution of sparks 10 surrounding
| places should fire get well started there
This would spread and the burning
territory would be so extensive that n
great amount of fire apparatus would he
required TO surround IT, In this way
fires get beyond control and burn until
an open space is reached or buildings are
demolished
One of the most dangerous sections of
the city in this respect lies in the district
bounded by Dean, Westminster Washing
ton and Battey streets. A blaze once
under good Roadway there would send up
sparks enough to repeat the experiences
OF Portland, Boston and Chicago. if
weather conditions and wind were favor
able The danger from this section now.
is much greater than it will be in a short
time, for IL will be an island entirely
surrounded by water as soon as the new
water pipes are in service and the new
system of water service for the fire de-
partment is completed
That square is enclosed with water |
mains of sufficient size to drown the |
land and all there is thereon
Another section which causes consider |
able uneasiness to those whose business
1t is 10 fight this always threatening
element is bounded by Mathewson, West
Snow and Weybosset streets.
Fire well installed i'm the heart of that
section would work havoc because the
space OF unusually inflammable material is
Iuite extensive and very difficult to reach
IN certain parts
There is yet another risky place which
S confined within the limits of Weybosset
'otter, Pine and Eddy streets. This Is
oaded with combustiblc material and
park would mean disaster if it lodged in
ertain places in that square Once under
way, with strong wind, fire would not
top much before Point street was reached
n the south part of the town. The sparks |
4 course would spread the fire over n
tide area and the fire department of this |
lty is not extensive enough to protect a
luare mile of property.
The tirpnpn also raanOnf,, |
iiiiculty. It consists of the numerous
imsy buildings i'm the heart of the city.
here are lots of them and they are not
iuch better than big chimneys to dis (
'ibute fire. Everyone remembers the
lpidity with which the Barnaby building :
ent down at the corner of Westminster 7
ld Dorrance streets and the lightning i
ke vanishment of the Masonic TemnIe 1
lt they probably do not realize that i
'zens of big buildings on the main
orughfares are as bad or worse con- o
ructed than those We're. They were burn Y
e but short time when the whole z
ructure fell in carrying everything into A
q burning cauldron. Stone and iron G
G all very well for the outside of n build c,
q, but when they are filled up inside 4
Ith inflammablc material, ready food for Il
mes, 1t doesn't take heat very long to
list iron from its fastenings and the
hole structure goes down with incredi-
. swiftness. h,
Some OF the largest and newest build- N
gs are built on this plan and the fire. n,
IN have them marked. Two of the lar In
Sc In the town are of this kind and IL a ri
Q should get we'll established in them q,
~ VIII he abandoned To their fate and nj
rounding property will be attended to. CO
e officials of the fire department will ar
permit OF the unnecessary jeopardy th
human life and they consider that n
'man is as good as dead II he remains
one of the buildings referred to after
is well installed in them. Falling
)rs and toppling walls are fearful foes 80
ich ilrcmcn have TO face, but il land tn
ners and land loasers persist i'm putting th
hre traps they must take the consc- To
'uccs The fircmen will not stay inside s.
impcril their lives trying to qucnch an
flames. Everyone who knows anv-
ng about 1t knows that fire in big
i"lhg was neNCr cNtlnguiShcd from the |
side, 1t has to he met face To face so an
peak. When it cannot be combattcd i'm ia
way the building is as good as burned =
'n, nine times out of TO- 80
he old fireman said that the careless 49,,
$ Of workmen employed In construct ito
buildings erected within the past Is lgi
rs almost passes belief. In putting i'm WI
wood work Of the buildings shavings. led
'cs Of wood, old paper and refuse VIII
would he good stuff to kindlc fires in
Kitchen stove, are thrown in the spaces ,a', ,as
vecn the walls Ono large building 81
II IN the center of the city has a space
vccn the inner and outer wall i'm the r
hllod with that sort of stuff almost lee
Ihc roof As the floors went mn tho viii
50 was swept into this convenient tcsi
ptacle and the workmcn were relieved Poi
the labor of car,ing the waste away. and
result 81 a fire I'm this space is puf
ous Fire would bo communicated 10 pre-