Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-30

rated from, the main once. The out-af-
town wires were not disturbed.
The electric arr. lights near the buining
power house buraed darlxiy blue. the com
parfson between them and the white heat
OF the flames In the building being great.
one OF the most remarkable features of
the connagration was the apparent fmmu-
nifty from the flames of the Flagstaff which
topped the power house. 1t stood unmoyed
willie hundreds watched 1t to see II 1t
would disappear in the flames. hut Il re-
manned until the top wall tumbled outward
with crash and a conclusion that shook
the avenue.
The explosions in the building during the
oil. resembled cannonading Sounds like
the Spanish warships are coming up the
Potomac" remarked one Of the spectators.
as he watched the flames light up the ave-
nue. and listened to the conclusions.
Yes. and IL they do get anywhere near
Washington. they will go up in smoke a
-- sight quicker than that power house."
remarked a patriotic bystander.
Long experience has taught the employees
Of the National Theater how to meet flames.
and bucket brigade kept the roof wet
last night. under the direction of Warch-
man Riordon.
Two Navy Yard cars stopped on the ave-
nue. at almost equal distances apart from
the power house, as if forming two barriers
to the fire lines.
A lace curtain at an open window in the
boarding house of Charles Fletcher. Thr-
tenth street between and F, was ig-
nited by flying spark. The curtain was
extinguished with but little damage.
The advantage of such a wide street as
the avenue was never more felt than last
night. Had there been stiff breeze blow
ing, instead Of scarcely none at all, as 1t
happened. the sparks, according to the d.
rection In which the wind was blowing,
would have been transferred to the build
ings on the north side of the avenue, and
would have undoubtedly burned a number.
and would fall in, the heat would prove
SO great that 1t could scarcely be borne on
that side. The paint on the restaurant
door almost directly opposite the fire,
though nearly hundred yards away, was
blistered and shriveled up.
The fire resembled a magnificent theatre
cal spectacle. The windows on the avenue
all had spectators like boxes occupied in a
play house. On the street was the larger
audience. the center of the stage be-
ing usurped by the burning building,
the flremen, with their apparently pigmy
streams of water, being the actors In the
scene. The trees near the setting with
cred and sprang into flame as If by magic
The blue flames of the electric light, the
red-reflected cap of the monument, and the
whole made up picture never to be for
gotten.
There were many by-plays which served
to infuse a comic part into the otherwise
dramatic and tragic affair. AS nearly al
ways happens in case of a big fire. hose
passersby. to their discontinue, and the
immense delight of those who witnessed
the occurrence. venturesome cycist
slipped into the fire lines, was discovered
and chased by perspiring policeman, but
escaped, speeding down toward 18th street,
with the shouts of the watchers following
MIN. The comments OF some Of the colored
population were highly amusing
Persons living in the northwest section
were treated to a spectacle which was de-
MED those at the scene of the conhagratfon
From the heights the monument appeared
TO be painted brilliant carnation, while to
the left. like an electric fountain of huge
proportions, the flames leaped upward un-
til the highest tongue reached the level OF
the tall monolith itself
There was hollow mockery in the shape
OF sign, about the only thing left unin-
1ured on the power house building The
sign is on the corner of the east front, and
reads as follows:
Space In this building for rent Light,
power and heat furnished. Apply at room
9. first floor