The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-25
FOOD FOR THE FLAMES
The Washington AbattOir Com
Pany's Plant Destroyed.
4 Loss Estimated mt S4O.OOO-A
Large Amount OF 'icut and other
ing and Cold Storage Company
Burned-orisin of Fire Unknown.

| Fire of a. unknown origin caused a loss
estimated at $4,000 at the plant owned by
| the Washington Abbatoir Company near
| Benning yesterday afternoon. The loss,
| with the exception Of about $1,000, Is COW
cred By insurance. The Washington SlauSh-
| tering and Cold Storage Company. the
| lessee Of the property, had a large stock
of meats and fixtures valued at $4,000,
which was almost totally destroyed. The
damage to the building. and particularly
to the cold storage department. is esti-
mated at a similar sum. Both local and
outside companies carry policies Of insur-
ance on the property.
How the fire started is a mystery. Sam
uel F. Bryan. engineer at the plant, was in
the building when the blaze was first dis
covered, but he was Unaware Of 1t until
notified BY outside parties. 1t was shortly
before 9 o'clock when the frst alarm was
given. The fire had gained considerable
headway and was issuing from the second
story at the northwest corner OF the build
ing when discovered. =. Edgard Solomon,
employed in delivering, mea tAoa saw the
flames licking their way upward toward
the roof and fastened to call Engineer
Bryan, who was occupied in another part
of the structure. Bryan teiephoned for the
Fire Department, acting almost simulta-
necusly with Policeman Williams. of the
Ninth precinct station. Prior to the arri-
val OF the engines many Citizens and the
police attempted to check the progress OF
the fire. This was impossible and Bryan
was slightly hurt in a fall during the az
tempt.
When the Fire Department reached the
scene the fire bad attacked the roof and
other portions OF the structure. The build
ing is Of brick. three stories in height.
IL is situated facing the Benning Road
and was constructed in the fall OF 1898
upon he sight of a similar structure
which was also destroyed by fire on June
13, 1893. Three companies responded to
the alarm. AT the outset the lack OF
proper water facilities was experienced
and delayed the work of the firemen great
l,. 4 small stream was drawn upon and
water pumped up by the engines to the
burning structure. About twenty employ
es of the plant were present and they as.
sisted the firemen in their work.
Several lines Of hose were run irto the
building. The piping and intricate ccnnec-
tions Of the cold storage department SUI
fered most, and are almost a total wre-k.
The roof was badly burned. The walls
alone remain intact.
The fire burned for four hours-fron1 to
I o'clock. Shortly after an alarm had been
turned in word was sent to Mess-s. keane
and Auth and others. WHO form the Wash
ington Slaughtering and Cold Storage Com
pany. and Mr. Auth and Mr.. Kea1e went
to the scene. Mr.. Keane was seen by re-
porter at a late hour. He said that the
building was leased by the slaughtering
company An insurance Of $4,000, lie sa d.
WIS carried on the property by its owners.
the Washington Abbator Company. Mr..
Keane stated that the slaughtering COM
pany had meats and stock valued at s15 900
in the burned structure. The company also
had movable fixtures destroyed to the
amount Of about 5000.
An insurance of S12GGO is carried on this
property. Golden, Love & Co. and other
local merchants had a small amount Ct
stock on hand in the building. The in
surance on this was not ohtairable last
night.