The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-21
FIRE CAUSES HEAVY Loss
Clothing Store of NJ. DyTenforth 4
Co. Completely Gutted.

stocks of Mems Goods Almost 81 Total
wreck-EstabIIshm of Droop &
Sons Has "a Narrow Escape
The Damage Fixed mt $4,000.
Thousands saw fire last night which
threatened to totally destroy the four
story double brick building. 9c$ and 925
PENNSYLVANIA Avenue northwest, occupied
by Mitchell Dyrenforth & Co. clothiers,
and Edward F. Droop & Sons, dealers in
pianos and musical supplies, and which
resulted in a loss estimated at $4,000.
Dyrenforth & Co. are the heaviest losers.
Their loss on-a stock of clothing, etc, is
placed at about $4,000. The building is
owned by Mrs e Hitz, and is dam
aged to the extent of 10000. Mr.. Droop
said last night that his loss, if any, would
be slight.
The fire appears to have had its origin
in the rear of the cellar of the building.
Just how it started is uncertain but 1t is
thought that electric wires became
crossed in the basement on the Dyren-
forth side of the building. and near the
shaft of a large freight elevator.
1t was shortly before II o'clock when
smoke was first discovered issuing from
The caves under the roof. Policeman War
ren, OF the First precinct, and Special
officers Young and jana, saw smoke
while near Ninth Street and Pennsylvania
Avenue, and hurried to turn in an alarm
from box 12g. at Ninth and d Streets
Prior to the arrival of the first engine
on the scene flames were visible licking
up the side of the building, near the rear.
1t was at once evident that the fire had
a draft from some source, as the
flames spread rapidly, supposedly going
up the elevator shaft from the cellar.
Smoke and flame shot out from windows.
and by the time the engines arrived the
fire had gained considerable headway.
on the first alarm Chief Paris respond
ed. and sent in second and third alarms
in quick succession. The theatres Were
emptying at the time. and thousands
flocked to the scene. Street cars were
blocked west of Eleventh Street and
east of Seventh Street, by long lines Of
hose. Reserves from the First and Sixth
precincts We're early on hand. and fire
lines established behind which the
crowds We're kept at a safe distance.
Firemen ran up half a dozen ladders
at both front and rear, and entered on
several floors. as the flames were grad
uaIly subdued. Great streams of water
were thrown into the building from roof
and ground. Nine engines and two truck
companies were on the scene after the
,;,-1 a.. ont in ba o.
gress Of the fire Mr. Droop arrived and
directed the firemen in the efforts to pre-
vent loss to his stock Word was sent to
Mr.. Dyrenforth shortly after the tire was
discovered and he was soon on the scene.
The four floors on the Dyrenforth side
of the building are utilized in the fol-
lowing manner: First floor, mems cloth
ing and furnishings; second floor, boys
and children's clothing and merchant
tailoring: third floor. workrooms; fourth
floor stock and store rooms. ON every
floor. it is feared stock is badly dam
aged. although nothing definite was oh
tainable last night. Smoke filled the ell
tire building, and much water was thrown
onto the stock.
on the Droop side, though the smoke
was thick, the fire seems to have done
little damage. Little water was thrown
into the music store
To a reporter Mr.. Mitchell Dyrenforth
said last night that he could not estimate
his loss with any degree of accuracy He
stated that he had been taking stock for
several weeks. because Of his spring
opening, which was to have been held to-
day.
one consignment of goods. worth
about Sl.O00. including clothing of every
description, arrived late YESTERDAY after
noon. said Mr.. Dyrenforth, and had
been placed in the basement at the rear
of the building, preparatory to being ar
ranged throughout the store Other car
loads. and much of our spring stock. has
yet to come, but | fear our loss will be
heavy. The value OF our stock within the
building. I think, would reach about $50
0sa We have no means of telling the CON
dition Of the goods until morning"
Mr. Dyrenforth added that the stock
was insured for $4,000 in various com
panies Among agents representing com
panies which carry lines on the stock are
mentioned Wolf & Cohen. Fred Giese-
king, and William II. Saunders & Co.
Mr.. Drooo stated that he did not think
lie had suffered any loss. He said he had
no time. however, to examine his stock.
The four floors on his side Of the building
'4S liheu WIN MISCELLANEOUS sloch' pFln-
cipally pianos, smaller musical instrll-
ments, and sheet music. Droop & Sons
have occupied the building for number
of years, while Dyrenforth * co. moved
TO their present location about four years
ago from beneath the Metropolitan Hotel.
Mr. Dyrenforth says he shall resume
business as soon as possible probably at
the same building.
After the fire about d hundred frcmen
went to lunch room on the Ayenue.
where all were served with food al tbs
expense Of Mr. Dyrenforth.