Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-14
HEAVY LOSS BY FIRE
AMERICAN ICE CoMPANY'S sToR-
AGE HOUSES DESTROYED.
Planning Mill Belonging to Johnson &
Wimsatt, Boat Houses and Other
Property Also Burned.

A disastrous fire visited the river front
Saturday afternoon, causing damage esti-
ma ted at more than $4,000. Soon after the
firemen reached the scene of the conflagra-
ton, at the foot of 9th street, a general
alarm was sounded, which called out pacti
cally the entire fire department, Chief Dut-
ton being on hand with his assistants. The
fire destroyed the ice houses and stables
of the American Ice Company and a large
quantity of ice the planning mill and stock
of Johnson & Wimsatt the launches Oceola
and Sybil, Cumberland's and Raynor's boat
houses and the boat house of the Potomac
Pleasure Club. The shingle roof was burned
also from the saloon property of John c.
Bieligk, at 18th and M streets, which was
caused by sparks from the other structures.
Commissioner Mcfarland was in the crowd
of spectators. The Commissioner decided.
as did other officials, that the present
strength of the fire department is mad
equate to properly protect the city at times.
Several accidents occurred but no serious
injury resulting. Assistant Chief Wagner's
buggy knocked Cleveland Jones, colored,
from his bicycle and damaged his machine.
He sent to the hospital and his wheel
was taken to repair shop. Jones was one
of many wheelmen who felt 1t to be his
duty to respond TO the alarm and reach the
fire ahead of the engines. 1t is regarded as
fortunate that he is the only one who was
injured in this way. One engine horse fell
while responding to the alarm, and was
painfully injured in being dragged a short
distance over the paved street. Good work
was done by citizens who were upon the
scene before the flames had gained much
Roadway, and the members of>the crew of
the police boat also rendered valuable SER
vice. 1t was deemed unfortunate that the
city did not possess a fire boat, in which
event the flames would probably have done
much less damage For time 1t was feared
that several valuable boats anchored near
the burning buildings would suffer among
thar>, no alp NIL
the property of Edward c. Lee Of Philadel-
phia, but Capt. White had the craft lowed
away safe distance by the tug d. M. Key.
The same tug was instrumental In saving a
dozen more vessels, large and small.
Fire Starts in Stable.
The fire originated in the stable of John
son & Wimsatt and Mr.. William II.
Yerkes of the American Ice Company dis
covered the blaze and promptly sent in an
alarm, which called out several companies.
1t was apparent when the first companies
responded that additional companies would
be needed, and a second alarm was SOUNDED.
Other alarms followed until there was
brilliant display of the apparatus of the
fire department along the wharves. Some
of the companies used the plugs while
others got water direct from the river.
The firemen succeeded in preventing the
destruction of much more valuable prop
erty only by har1 work.
The cause of the fire is not definitely
known. 1t was thought that boys had been
smoking cigarettes in the stable and had
carelessly thrown the stubs in straw or
other infiammable material The police are
still investigating this part of the affair.
1t was not until after o'clock yesterday
morning that the last of the engines left
the scene yesterday to view the ruins. The
work of rebuilding will be begun without
delay, as the ice company officials are
anxious to get their houses ready to store
ice for the coming summer season.
Two houses at AZ and NJ streets south
west were badly damaged by fire about $50
o clock Sparks from the fire on the river
front. it is thought, caused this fire. as they
did that at the house of John C. Bielgk
9TH street. The fire started in the building
on the corner occupied as lunch room
and spread to the adjoining building, the
house of Policeman John I. Hatton. About
81 800 damage was done to the two build
ings. There was no insurance on the po-
liceman's home, while the other building,
owned by Gabriel Lapponnier, was in
sured.
Other Alarms.
About o'clock Saturday night, three
hours after the river front fire started, the
fire department was summoned to the sta
bles of The Charles Jacobsen Bottling Com
pany III an alley near 9th and K streets.
The fire started from some unknown cause,
and soon assumed such proportions that the
calling Of additional fire companies was
rendered necessary. Inc damage to the
stable and contents is estimated at about
$500.
George Kennon a member of No. 10 en-
CINE company, fell from a ladder while
working at the fire and was badly hurt. His
left side was injured and his left ankle
sprained. He was taken to the Emergency
Hospital, where his injuries were dressed
Two hours later an alarm was sounded
for fire in the show window at the store of
Johnson Il Edmonds, 1880 Pennsylvania
avenue northwest. This blaze was quickly
eXtinguished but not before about $500
q had lOnp