The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-26
PREGAUPION AGAINST
Fires AT THEATRES
Measures Taken to Protect
Life and Property.
EQUIPMENT OF LOCAL HOUSES
Asbestos Drops. Hose, and Extin-
EUisheFs Everywhere. and "A Fire
mnn Stationed in Each building
During Every Performance.

Few persons are aware Of the extraor-
binary precautions exercised to guard
against fires in theatres, especially in
Washington. A complete system and or
ganization for fire fighting is in vogue
in most Of the playhouses.
Since electricity replaced gas in the
lighting OF theatres the danger Of con-
fiagrations has greatly diminished. . ne
old-time gas jet, even though protected
by A wire netting, was one of the handiest
things to start a fire with in existence.
An actors costume or a limsy piece Of
scenery which came in contact with it
was certain 10 ignite, and, with the lack
Of proper precautions against fire which
existed in those days, serious damage usu-
ally resulted
''Fire Drops" in the Theatres.
The stage of a theatre is the place
where a fire is most likely TO occur, ald
it is the place where the flames will
spread the quickest The piles Of scenery
and light wooden framework offer an ex-
ceptional opportunity for a fire, and it is
here that the greatest precautions are
| taken.
Every theatre is required by law 10
have fire drop" This is a large ashes
tos curtain, which hangs as near the
! front of the stage as possible. IL is sufii-
GENTLY large to completely cover the en-
| tire front Of the stage, and is about q
amount Of fire could possibly eat its way
| through this curtain to the auditorium
/ Ii is worked directly from the stage and
| can be lowered by merely raising a little
| ratchet. which releases the drum.
I Fireman Detailed TO Every Theatre.
Should a fire break out on the stzge or
even an alarm sounded the fire curtain
/ would be dropped, thus cutting OF all
possibility Of the flames reaching the
/ front Of the house and endangering the
| lives Of the audience. The stage and all
/ the scenery on IL could be completely
| consumed, while the audience would have
/ an abundance Of time to leave the build
I ing before the flames could reach the.u-
In this city e fireman is detailed TO the
| theatres during each performance II is
| his duty 10 remain on the stage until
every person IN the audience has left the
theatre at the close Of the show.
Hose and ExtinGuishers.
Hundreds Of feet Of hose are provided
| in nrenient places. and each section is
| connected with the main pipe line, so as
To be ready for instant use. A number of
| chemical fire extinguishers are also dis
/ tTibuted on the stage. and even high up
/ IN the flies"
! Just before a performance begins the
/ fireman goes over the whole place in
/ specting each set of hose and extinguisheT.
/ II even a small piece Of scenery should
/ be placed in such a position that II would
| retard the work Of getting the hose into
! action in case OF fire, IL has 10 be moved.
/ During the performance the fireman walks
| about the stage, always holding himself
| in readiness for an emergency should il
| appear.
Policemen Also on Hand.
There are one or two policemen always
| to be found in the lobby or auditorium.
Who in case Of a FIRE would lend their