Evening star., 1897-04-30
Incendiaries Believed to Be Engaged
in Their Nefarious Work.
VERY SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
The Fires Immediately Follow the
Removal Of the Yard Fire Engine.
THE BLAZE RDAY

A few more conf1agrations and a number
of modern buildings will be needed at the
navy yard to replace the old structures,
which were built nearly century ago.
Last weeks disastrous fire in the building
known as the general storekeepers offices
was followed yesterday afternoon by fire
in the temporary quarters of those who
were driven from the burned building last
week Now 1t Is thought that an incen-
Giary is responsible for yesterdays fire, and
many believe that the fire the previous
week resulted from a similar cause While
the first fire resulted in a loss of about $15,-
600, it is thought that 81, 500 will cover yes
terday's fire. Just one week ago today tine
first fire caused the destruction of SO much
property, and Paymaster Putnam and 9TH
ers were quartered in another of the old
buildings 1t was a few. minutes after 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon when the off,
Gals discovered smoke issuing from the
upper portion of the building, and con-
cluded that they would again be forced out
Of home Men employed in the yard were
on their way home at the time, and the cry
OF fire caused the gathering of quite a
crowd Of them No time was lost in sound
ing an alarm from box 52S, and quick re-
sponse made by the fire department was
followed by the sounding of a second alarm,
which brought additional fire companies to
the scene.
Water Drawn From the River.
Chief Paris remembered the scant water
supply in the grounds, and he did not fail
to profit by the experience, SO that the hose
line was laid between the river and the
burning building. and good supply Of wa
ter was had. In this way the firemen man
aged to get the fire under control much
sooner than they did the fire of the previous
week, and the result was that the loss did
not amount to so much.
The closing Of the outer gates and the
keeping away from the fire of so many wo-
men and children gave the firemen more
freedom than they usually enjoy when
fighting fires from the public streets. Then,
too, the marines were called out, and they
assisted, not only in getting the streams
of water on the fire. but also in saving fur
niture and records from the burning build
ing. The fire started In the little low attic
In which there may possibly have been
some old rubbish and perhaps some furni-
ture stored, and the fact that it started SO
similar TO last weeks fire gives additional
reason to suspect that both were started
by an incendiary. Although the flames
were soon under control. the fire depart
ment did not leave the scene for quite
long time, and then the building was
watched by marines, who would have given
an alarm without delay had a spark of
fire been seen In the building.
Inquiry to Follow.
board Of inquiry, composed of Lieuts.
Nicholson Badger and Moore, reported on
the fire that caused so much damage a
week ago. This board failed to ascertain
the cause of the fire, and 1t was attrib-
uted to spontaneous combustion, but 1t is
SAID that there was no combustible mate
rial in the building burned yesterday
There were no fires in the building burned
yesterday, and no smoking in the building
is permitted. court of inquiry will be
appointed at once, and an effort will be
made to fix the blame.
A Very Suspicious circumstance.
significant circumstance in connection
with the fires is found in the fact that
they occurred almost Immediately after
the fire engine, which, for many years,
has afforded protection to the navy yard
was removed from its old station there
and sent to another city. If this engine
had been in the yard 1t would have been
amply sufficient to extinguish the flames
on both occasions before they gained head
way of any dangerous character, as it was
in excellent condition and sent a strong
stream. 1t was sent away about a month
ago. The fires, occurring so closely upon
means for arresting CONGREGATIONS, are re-
garded with great suspicion. and the in
quiry will doubtless be rigid and eXhaus-
tive.
A subsequent investigation of the build
ing and furniture destroyed show that the
loss is much greater than was reported
yesterday. The estimated damage as re-
ported to the police this morning is $1,000
on the building and 5000 on furniture.