The Washington times., 1902-04-13

the fresh blaze. The fire in the saloon
had been caused by one of the lighted
sparks falling upon the roof In q few
minutes the entire structure was ablaze.
1t required more than several hours work
TO extingush the flames during which
time the sparks alighted en- Policeman
Hatton's home, corner of Four end-a Half
and VI Streets. Once more the frcmen re-
sponded and threw water upon the biaz-
ing roof. but not before il was almost
destroyed
Big Crowds On Hand
The crowds in the vicinity of the various
fires were constantly increasing, and
Major Sylvester sent in call for more
reserves.
After extinguishing the two small
blazes the fre-fghters once more turned
their hose upon the cherred and burn
ing embers that marked the location OF
the ice plant. planning mill, and boat
houses. and it was not until night had
oyertaken them that the flames were con-
sidered under control
After conference, Chiefs Dutton and
Belt sent the tired fremen to their quar-
ters one By one, leaving only two en-
gines on the scene.
ne OF IUe NTeNtn uuE ing
the progress of the fire were intense. Al
though their arms and faces were being
scorched by the intense heat and the air
choked by a dense smoke, the men be-
hayed gallanlly. and never once gave up
position they had gained.
One or two of them had their clothes
set on fire. but soon returned to their
posts. Although the positions occupied
by many of them were of an exceedingly
dangerous character. there were few that
held back.
Number of Accidents
number Of tie engines met with ac-
cidents while en- route to tho fire. Engine
No. was responding to the general alarm
and bound down Seventh Street, near b
Street northwest, when one of the horses
fell. Before the apparatus could be stopped
the animal had been painfully cut about
the body.
Assistant Chief Wagner also had a thrill
ing experience. He WAS driving his horse
at a gallcp down Pennsylvania Avenue
northwest. when a colored boy mounted on
a wheel suddenly ran in front OF him.
Despite the fact that the gong on the
vehicle was soundingl loudly the bicyclist
did not stee- out of danger, and the horse
struck him a stunning blow. knocking him
to the ground and badly damaging his
wheel.
There was one time during the fire when
almost every engine company was crippled
by having its hose cut from coming into
contact with electric wires OF the street
railway company. The minute the live
wire came into contact with the hose IL
would melt the rubber. More than 300
feet of hose was damaged in this manner,
and the action OF the RAILROAD in not shut
ting OFF the current at the outbreak OF
the fire caused the Fire Department 10 end
Of trouble.
Chief Well Pleased
In discussing the confiagration Chief
Belt expressed himself as being highly
pleased with the manner in which his men
conducted themselves.
1t was one of the hardest fires We have
been called upon to fight for some years."
said the chief. and | think we did ex-
ceedlngly we'll. considering the difficulties
under which we labored.'
The fire. according to the officials of the
department, clearly demonstrated the need
OF larger department in this city.
A difference of opinion exists as to the
origin of the fire. From the best author
ity ii is stated that 1t was caused by the
May Not Rebuild
When seen last night, Mr.. William II.
Yerkes, general manager for the Amer
lean Ice Company. was unable to account
for the origin of the fire. and did not
know when the company would rebuild.
When asked if he thought there was
any danger OF an ice famine. Mr.. Yerkes
said that although there was stored in
the burned building about 5000 tons of
ice, there were any number OF other stor-
age Offices Of the company that could sup
ply the city's want.
While the blaze was at its height,
magnificent steam yacht, the Sycamore,
the property OF Edward c. Lee, we'll
known Philadelphia millionaire, was
moorcd close to the wharf of the ice com
pany. and was busily engaged in playing
water upon the burning stable from a hose