Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-20
FIERCE FIRE AT MIDNIGHT
The Aggregate of Losses Estimated to Be
About $4,000.
Damages to Plant of Washington
Woodworking Company and
Two Livery Stables.

The plant of the Washington Woodwork
Ing Company and the stables of John Sim
mons and NJ. H Sullivan were badly dam
aged by fire about II 80 o'clock last night.
Two of the buildings are on 18th street,
while Sullivan's stable is on Ohio avenue.
1t is estimated that the losses amount to
about SIS, 900.
John Bell, employed as Waterman at
the District stables, discovered the flames,
and it was probably due to his prompt ac-
ton in having the fire department called
out that number of horses in the stables
were saved. A few minutes after the
alarm was sounded the fire department was
upon the scene and seeing the danger that
other property was in, the foreman sent in
second, then a third alarm. These
brought additional companies to the fire
ana number of streams of water We're
soon playing on the burning buildings. At
the same time adjoining property was be-
ing of the flames.
Besides calling out additional fire COM
panles the second and third alarms brought
out additional police reserves Hundreds of
people from the neighborhood, as well as
from distance, were attracted to the fire.
and those who Were among the first to ar
rive assisted the police in the work of res
cuing the horses and saving personal eff
fects. Owing to this efficient work the
damage was several thousands dollars less
than 1t would otherwise have been. Major
Lieut.. Amiss, who has charge Of the pre-
cinct in which the fire occurred, directed
the movements of the police.
Where Fire Started.
1t is believed that the fire started on the
second floor of the building in which John
Simmons conducted a sale stable the up
per floors of which were occupied by the
Washington Woodworking Company.
Flames were seen coming from this build
ing when Policeman Lally turned in the
first alarm. There was a large amount of
dry wood in parts of the buildings, and the
flames spread so rapidly 1t was with great
d1fficulty that the firemen We're able to pre-
vent the wholesale destruction of property.
Chemical engine No. 1 was first to arrive,
and Foreman Proctor lost no time in sizing
up the situation and calling additional COM
panies Chief Paris and Assistant Chiefs
Belt and Sorrell had charge of the firemen.
The origin of the blaze is a mystery There
was no fire left in the mill or stables last
night Two three-story buildings on 18th
street were occupied by the Woodworking
Company, in addition to the rooms it Oc-
cupied over Simmons stable. One of the
large buildings is controlled by the Wash
ington Loan and Trust Company, while J.
j. Hogan owns the Simmons stable build
ing.
Estimate of Damages.
The estimated damage to the former
building is about $1,000, while 5000 will
cover the loss on Mr.. Hogan's building.
Both structures were partly insured. 1t
is thought the loss sustained by the Wash
ington Woodworking Company is about
$1,000, which loss is also partly covered by
insurance.
The damage done to SuIlvan's stable
amounts TO only few dollars. DR.. Thomas
of Montgomery county. Md. owns this
building. 1t was long after midnight before
the eng mes began to withdraw from the
n ir6 nd nT1s. nSNYfNr MAJ DC
kept on duty until after daybreak, in the
fear that the flames would again break out.
Mr.. John F. Murrell is manager of the
Washington Woodworking Company, and
T. G. Bailey and J. Brazerol are chief
owners. 1t is stated that the buildings will
be put in order soon possible.