The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-12
FIRE DOES SERIOUS DAMAGE.
Flames Caused by an Overheated
Stove Threaten Two Buildings.

Fire was discovered in the building. 4SG
Louisiana Avenue northwest, known as
| the Lawyers Club" about li:30 O'Clock
yesterday morning, and, before ii could
I be put under control. spread to the Gun
| ton Building, adjoining on the right. Both
buildings were badly damaged. The fire
originated in the kitchen of the Law
yers' Club which is conducted as a
saloon and restaurant by Mrs. Isabelle
Rudd. Three alarms were sounded, to
which nine engine and hose companies
and three truck companies responded.
After hard fight the hremen succeeded
in subduing the flames.
The police report places the loss at $500.
but those interested believe that it VIII
be nearer S1000O. Charles Walker, color
ed, who is employed in a bowling alley
located in the rear of the Lawyers
Club" was burned about the face and
hands, while trying to eXtinguisi the
flames, and was removed to the Elmer
gency Hospital, where his wounds were
dressed.
The fire is supposed to have originated
from an overheated stove in the kitchen.
The flames spread with rapidly to the
bowling alley adjoining a barrel of
whisky, which had but a moment be-
fore been put temporarily in the bowling
alley, ignited, and helped spread the fire
which, by this time, was leaping high into
the air and licking up the canvas avn
ings that shaded the western windows of
the Gunton Building. Feeding upon these
awnings. the fire soon ate its way into
the Gunton Building itself, driving the &C.
eupants to the street without opportuni-
ty to rescue any of their property.
Al. -, E.,fI
with water, and after fight, had the
fire under control within half an hour
after the first alarm was sounded.
The fire was confined to the western
part of the Gunton Building. which was
damaged to the extent of about $1,000 The
first floor of the building was occupied
by Milton Barnard, Hufty & Hufty, and
Peyton Gordon Their libraries and guam
titles of valuable papers were either badly
damaged or totally destroyed. Their loss
win probably reach $3.50 aside from $3.50
worth Of commercial paper that Mr. Cor
don says is total loss. The damage on
the second floor was even greater than on
the first, the loss to Blackburn & Black
burn, Edward g. Niles, and o. ID. Barrett
exceeding $2,og1, IL is thought. The dam
age to the building. which is owned by
the Gunton estate, is sally covered by in
surance. Only a portion of the loss sus-
tanned by the tenants is covered by in
surauce.
In the building where the fire originated
the flames were confined to the rear por-
ton. The upper rooms in the back build
ing were badly damaged and the bowling
alley was wrecked. The alley was re-
Gently installed by Mrs. Rudd, and is
said to nave cost several thousand dol
lars. Mrs. Rudd also lost a quantity of
new and handsome furniture that had but
recently been placed in the building. Her
loss Will be nearly $500 with but little
insurance The building itself viii re-
quire repairs. to the estimated extent OF
500. 1t is owned by George j. johnson,
who carried Insurance.
Mrs. Rudd had several valuable song
birds In her dining room. only one Of
which, canary, she succeeded in rescu-
ing beautiful hooking bird was
smothered 10y the smoke While trying
been replaced, Attorney Gordon burned
his right hand slightly.
The IRE was seen from the windows of
the District Building, several doors TO the
east, moment or two before the alarm
was sounded and Commissioner Ma cfar-
land, who has immediate charge OF the
fire department had an excellent oppnr-
tunity to time the arrival OF the engine
companies No. II engine company arrived
from its quarters on Eighth Street above
u street just one minute and thirty-nine
seconds after the first stoke of the fire
gong, and forty-one seconds later had a
stream Of water on the Ire. The chemi-
cal company and Assistant Chief Wagner
were but a few seconds behind No H. and
the Other companies. II is understood
that Commissioner Macfarland intends TO
othclalI. congratulate the men upon their
work.