The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-28
THE WILLARD HOTEL FIRE |
The Damage to Building and Con-
tents Placed at SS. 600.
The Origin of the Blaze ns Much of a
Myrtcry an Ever-An Investigation
to BE Made-Gseat Excitement mt
the Time-SevrraI Valuable Arti-
cies Lost in the Confusion.

ne eAtiLtmeHt lHCluenl 10 the iic dt
Wizards Hotel early yesterday morning
had subsided last night and the loss to
building and its contents is now estimated
at Ss,o0o. That portion Of the hotel
visited by the fire is historical, because
of early associations, it having been used
many years ago by the congregation of
the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church For a number of years. however.
the building has been occupied by the
hotel company.
The origin of the fire Is as much OF a
mystery as ever. 1t was discovered by
Night Clerk Lester about 2:30 o'clock,
when a dense volume of smoke bu ST into
the office from rear hallway, and flames
made their way into the bar and the ad-
joining rooms. The first alarm was given
by Mr.. Lester and Engineer Wilson, who
was in the basement at the time. Both
hurried upstairs to arouse the half hun
dred guests. Prior to the arrival of the
firemen the hotel was filled with smoke,
and many guests were compelled to seek
windows and the single fire escape at the
+ Street front OF the building Several
members of Congress were in the hotel
a the time with their families and were
all conveyed to the street by means of
ladders placed by the firemen at different
points. The Ebbtt House, across the
street. Was used as a temporary shelter
for The frightened guests, many of whom
returned to Wizards after TIE fire had
been extinguished.
When the first alarm was sounded every
thing was in confusion people we're panic
stricken. and it was at first feared that
several had been suBocated in their rooms.
The first company to respond 10 the alarm
was that of no. engine. and it was
quickly followed by Truck C. which ran
ladders up at various points on the Four
tcenth Street side OF the structure. In the
sixth story at the rear Of the house were
two women. who frantically appealed for
help. as the smoke rose around them.
They seemed on the point of jumping sixty
feet to the street. but warning cries from
the crowd assembled outside led them to
wait until a ladder could reach them.
Policeman Oriani, of the First precinct.
and Firemen Kannally and Isbel of Truck
G. ascended the ladder and brought the
women safe TO the ground in their arms.
They were Mrs. Mary Geary and Miss
Jane Peck. employees OF the hotel
Meanwhile the firemen had experienced
considerable difficulty in locating the fire.
and a second alarm was sent in. calling
additional engines and another truck
company - the scene. Foreman Martin
of chemical engine 30. l, with Policemen
Carlson and Samson had entered the
building and aroused the sleeping guests.
Mrs. Thomas Underwood. of Chicago was
found wandering around in her apart
ments and conveyed to the street by
Foreman Martin. Representative Crum-
packer and his family. Representative
md Mr.. OF
sinia. and Representative and Mrs. Rob
ertscn, of Louisiana all occupying apart
msnis on the Street side of the house,
were taken down the ladders by the fire
men and cared for al he Ebbitt House
Their rescue was accomplished amid ex-
citement and Mrs DOyenor became i'll a.
the result OF her trying experience. She
was attended By Dr.. Lewis. and last even
ing had recovered sufficiently to leave her
room. After the fire had been extinguish-
ed the Representatives and their families
returned to their apartments in VIII
la1d's
An incident of The fire was the loss of
a valuable gold watch by Mrs. Under
wood, which was later recovered and le-
turned to the owner by Policemod War
ren. The watch was dropped in the hall
way, and its loss was quickly reported to
the police. Other articles are also miss
ing, which are thought to have been lost
amid the confusion.
Mr.. Burch, the manager OF the hotel
company. was seen last night at the Eb-
bitt House. He told a reporter that the
origin of the fire was a mystery to him
lie said the flames apparently origina ed
in an unused room behind the Office ana
adjoining the bar There was in this room
considerable furniture, many valuable
rugs and carpets. but no fire of any kind
Mr.. Burch stated further that the room
was swept every day and locked by the
housekeeper. and the keys returned to
the office. He did not care to discuss the
possibility that the fire was of incen-
diary origin, but said it was incomprc-
hensible. Mr.. Burch says that he shall
request the insurance adjusters to make
thorough investigation of the fire. lie
says he is not able as yet TO exactly tsti-
mate his loss, or that of the owner OF The
building, Mr.. Joseph z. Willard who re-
sides a Fairfax Court House, Va. Mr.
Willard. it is expected, will arrive in the
city today.