The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-12-08

every few minutes, enveloped by the heavy
black smoke which arose from the gasoline
flames, or else partially veiled by the light
white smoke from the burning coal oil.
Soon the gasoline tanks went tumbing,
broken and warped, to the ground, as their
brick foundations crumbled and fell, and
sent the burning fluid running about the
ground, eager to add to the confagration.
THE FIREMEN'S LABOKS
A second alarm of fire was turned in
and Chief Moore and Assistant Chief Smith
were soon on the spot. The firemen were
badly Handicapped by lack of water facili-
ties, and but for Improving two streams
out Of the zanja, which flowed 800 feet to
the west of the burning tanks few of the
adjoining buildings would have been saved.
Engine No. 8 was stationed over by the
zanja, and with two lines of hose supplied
the water to protect the Downey-avenue
viaduct to the east, and to try and protect
the big tanks on San Fernando street from
further attack. Engine No. l was stationed
at the corner of San Fernando and Olympia
street, 1000 feet distant, and sent stream
Of water to save the row of cottages on San
Fernando street, south of the warehouse
while engine No 3, 1900 feet further south
on San Fernando street, supplied the line
which saved the stable.
1t was within twelve minutes after the
first explosion of tn benzine tank that the
flames had gotten beyond all possible con
troll. For a time it seemed as il the entire
row of onestory cottages on San Fernando
and Aurora streets would be razed and all
of the buildings in that vicinity destroyed.
People began hurried rush to remove their
household goods and valuables, and soon
those two streets resembled the sidewalk
in front of Main street secondhand store.
Within three feet of the warehouse, to the
south. was the one-story cottage owned and
occupied by E. Eccles, at 1912 San Fernando
street. This was soon emptied of all its
contents and every one stood watching to
see the place burst into flames, for the fire
was raging in the warehouse and destroy
ing the most valuable portion OF the stock,
consisting of case goods and white lead, be-
hind the thin brick wall The fremen di-
rected their efforts to saving this cottage,
for they realized that once this building
caught it would be next to impossible to
save any of the others. The smoke and
steam rolled off the shingles but never once
did the men stop to take the hose from the
roof and their hard work in that quarter
prevented loss to many families.
CROWDS ATTRACTED
The heavy black smoke that rolled slowly
into the air and the quick, darting flames
were plainly visible from all parts of the
city, and soon people began fiocking to the
scene of the fire. a magnificent spectacle
was presented from the high bluff on which
runs the Buena Vista street car line, and
thousands lined the street, watching the
flames rushing whittier they would and de-
stroying nearly all that they touched. The
terraces of Elysian park were also dense
with crowds, and hundreds of other spec
tators stood on the Buena Vista and Downev
avenue bridges. Down on the fiat, where
the fire ragged between the railroad tracks.
there were many people, but the police had
no difficulty in keeping them away from
the firemen. Heat from the flames and,