The times., 1898-11-07
sUBDUING THE FLAMES.
Prompt Response OF Fire Depart
mcnt and Police.

nHChA Aha Iolice
The explosion occurred at SIS.
Lieut.. Nelson, of the Capitol police hal
smeiled gas. He was msking a scac CT
for the leak, and, walking from the Sem
ate lobby to the rotunda, passed directly
above the place of the explosion two min
utes before the upheaval took place.
He was in the rotunda when the crash
came. He made his way In the darkness
toward the pump room. but his progress
was blocked by the upheaved stone and
brick. All the Capitol policemen on duty
rushed toward the spot whence came
the sound. Great flames leaped up the
elevator shaft and In a twinkling all the
wood work within reach was ablaze.
At the time of the explosion Policeman
Austin, OF the Fifth Precinct, one of the
bicycle squad, was at the corner of First
and C Street southeast He rode imme-
diately to the east front of the Capitol.
Through the window of the marshars
Office and through the opening onto the
east portico in the rear of the Statue Of
Civilization, flames were issuing.
He dashed across the plaza to the
Coast and Geodetic Survey building. on
New Jersey Avenue, and turned in an
alarm from Box No. 81 Engine Com
panies 3, s and 4. and Truck A rolled into
action in the order named. Lines OF hose
were opened through the basement win
doys. and other lines were run through
the rotunda and the Senate corridor 10
play upon the flames in the marshafs Of
nee.
Truck A sent its ladders up against the
east front of the building and streams
were played on the fire from the Senate
document room. When Chief Paris ar
rived it looked as though the building
might BE- ruined. A second alarm Was
sent in, and Engine Companies Nos IA
and 6 and Truck D came on the Sc ne
at a run.
News that the Capitol was burning
flashed around the city. and the east
grounds were packed with citizens II
was an unusual spectacle.
Great ladders, like cobwebs, rose against
the white walls OF the Capitol Men, look
ing like brownies. were running up and
down. Flames and smoke were pouring
from the east windows. and the engine
bells were Changing. Cars on the Capital
Traction and the Metropolitan lines were
blockaded' till the hose bridges were
placed in position.
Good Work of the Police.
Closely following the fire department
appeared the police reserve Of the Sixth
precinct, under the command of Lieut.
John F. Kelly and Sergt. Byrues. They
were soon Joined by the reserves of the
Ninth precinct, under Lieut. McCathran-
and the reserves OF the Fifth precinct.
under Sergt MuIhaIl. These were aug
mented by the police on the beats sur
rounding the Capitol
Major Richard Sylvester. superintendent
of the police department. arrived before
his men, and gave his personal attention
to handling the surging masses congre-
gated about the Capitol He issued
orders for the preservation of order and
gave instructions to permit no one not
possessed of proper authority to come
within the fire lines.
Major Sylvester then gave his personal
aid to the fremen, and together with
Chief Paris was seen through the night
in different portions of the Capitol. The
police performed efficient service. They
had an immense crowd to handle and
they handled 1t well. Perfect order was
maintained, and no accidents occurred.
Col Richard Bright. sergeant-at-arms