The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-02
FIGHTING FIRES.
Dunkerton Tells How They
Do 1t in Porto Rico.

During his recent trip to Cuba and
Porto Rico, A. F. Dunkerton had an ex-
cellent opportunity of observing the
manners and customs of the people, in
habiting these islands. Mr.. Dunkerton
was formerly connected with the fire
patrol of this city, and naturally took
considerable notice of the manner of
fire fighting employed by the natives.
He writes of the Porto Rican fire fight
ers as follows:
Inc Porto Rican as a general thing
is rather modern sort of being and in
some things quite the equal of our mid
die class; he has electricity in many
forms at his command, steam is util-
lied in various ways, but the fire SER
vice of the larger cities is not to be
compared with that of our small viii
lagos and towns, as the following cpl
sode goes to show:
My companion, George w. Hubbard,
and I had Just entered the beautiful
plaza IN the city of Ponce, after in
speeding the commodious "Parque de
Bombast or fire department which is
close by, when we hear a man cry
"Fuego! Fuego."
In a minute, men, women and child
ren We're rushing by screeching "F'uego,
mucha grande fuego," and as we hur-
rled back to the fire house the mob was
crying out to the very much excited
man in charge, Desc listed prisa
honora! La prista! La prista." and
other eXcitable cries
NO one seemed to know just what to
do. tried to find out where the fire
was, but without avail. Finally a num-
Der of men got the old hand tub, reel
and "Darktown" hook and ladder
under way and with a bowling mob
ABOUT and behind them, started off in
the direction of La Playa. We Joined
the throng and helped all we could,
with our lungs.
Alter turning two or three sharp cor
ners and each time nearly demolishing
the anpquated machines, we came to
bhe confiagration, which was in one of
the narrow streets. Then there was fun,
frs dozen or more natives tried to
pun the hose from the squeaking and
rusty reel.
After minute or so wasted thus. the
nose about so feet in length was in a
heap IN the street. AS yet there was no
evidence of fire. Near at hand there
stood a number of soldiers who lent
uhelr claron voices for the occasion.
Inc tub was now pulled up and ma
yves swarmed upon it, some trying to
lltt. and others to push down on the
brakes. My companion wanted to get a
CUB and knock a few of them down, but
protested and told him to let them
go it. '-ie-ii
Soon little man with a large hat
and plenty Of brass buttons on his coat
app 2ared pom thu scene and after much
yelAng and excited gestures succeeded
IN making himself heard. Then there
was ar argument.
The Spanish speaking races talk all
over; hands, feet, shoulders, ewes and
mead going. Everybody had something
70 say, and while they were Chewing
i've rac, as the soldiers called il. one
OF the boys in blue sung out, Come on
bows here's the firer'
ufe enough wreath of smoke was
CURING out from a doorway a short dis
lance rom us. We all ran UP to the
mouse ana some of us went inside. 1t
was a small shop or store, filled with
cheap truck, canned goods. fish and
similar articles The fire was behind \ |
nigh counter and the air was tbicl, |
with smoke
me soldiers went in and commenced
10 pun the goods out, and in about five
minutes the stuff was on the walk. The
pans and tubs were at work on the |
!l,e anG by dlnt of hard work, 1t was ex-
tinguished.
But What of the city fire department.? |
we wen. back to Where the machine |
stood and found the firemen busy carry |
ing water In pals from nearby Ming |
ana enjoying it into the machine. I |
presume the men meant to squirt it on
the hre IS soon as the tub was fun |
% ool ne one tod them the fire was out,