The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-01
WHEN IN DANGER FROM FIRE.
HERE ARE EXPERT OPINIONS AS
TO WHAT rs BEST TO DO.
The First Rule Is Keep Cool and Wait
TO lie Rescued-Simpie Precautions
which VIII Prevent Fires-Ad,icc From
chief Purroy and Ex-(hief Croker.

which VIII Prevent FIres-Ad,icc From
chief Purroy and Ex-<hief Croker.
n you ask the average citizen what
fireman Ia supposed TO do first after he
arrives at the burning building you will
probably get the answer why, put out the
fire.
But that isn't his most important duty,
by far. He must first ascertain how many
human lives are at stake. and adopt the
quickest means TO save them. Firemen
are only human beings themselves and are
burned and suhocated like any one else.
but they are supposed TO dash into burning
buildings regardless Of danger and save
those inside. At least this is the public
opinion. On the other hand, while fire.
man is brave and fearless he il trained not
to lose his head in the presence OF great
danger and to look after his own safety
as much as any ones, although he must
obey the orders Of his chief when given.
Herein rests the responsibility Of the chief.
Common sense and judgment must always
be used.
As a rule no one thinks Of the fireman
till he needs him. The public does not
realize the dangers under which he works,
nor the hardships he endures, until fire
starts in ones own premises, and the fire.
mans work begins. He goes about II with
system, like clockwork, and often puts
out fire in a very few minutes, TO the
amazement Of spectators who expected
seeing a really exciting blaze.
But it is in the heroic methods OF life
saving that the greatest energies Of the
fireman are taxed. On the rolls to-day are
the names Of many brave men who periAhed
with those they tried TO save, despite the
fact that their chiefs called them back.
They knew II was fatal to return again 70
the burning buildings. but sometimes human
nature gets the best OF the fireman when
he knows souls are perishing, and he makes
! the last dash though. knowing the danger.
; Sometimes he gets out again. at others
they find him half way, with the human
burden in his arms. both dead.
In a great city like NewYork fire is likely
to start in moments time in any quarter,
and fire at night especially is always con-
flising. for the possible victims are awakened
! out Of a sound sleep. The first thought Is
to get out, but it Ia the getting out, or the
way it is gone about, that results most
fatally. Terror-stricken persons are a diff
ticult lot to manage and panic and STAN
pe0e are the Ou,cOtne,
II should be the purpose OF every one
living in a crowded city TO exercise some
forethought on the subject Of fire, for safety
rests in most cases with the GOODNESS and
presence OF mind st command. As one OF
the fire chiefs says. 1t rests solely with the
person himself II he keeps cool, he will
get out; II he loses his head. he's done for
By following some OF the simple rules
set down by the heads OF the Fire Depart
ment there Ia no reason why every one
may not know how to behave wiser In such
an emergency. Acting Chief Purroy. at
his new duties at Fire Headquarters in
East Sixty-seventh street, the other> day
expressed the opinion that 1t was a good
idea to call public sttention to the means
by which people could both help them
selves and help the hrenen in their work.
The most essential thing said Chief
Purroy, lis, Of course, the saving Of human
life, and these rules, II observed by persons
themselves, may tend largely toward pre-
serving them till the Gre department ar
rives:
If you find that there is a fire in the
house open the door Of you. room and see
IL the fire is coming from the hall. II 30
close the door at once, open your window a
little at the top and bottom and wait till tn.
fireman arrives. The open window will allow
the ar TO enter from the outside. ard what
smoke is confined will escape. II all meals
Of escape are cut of, Immediately alarm
the neighborhood by cries from the win
dow. II is a good plan TO do this anyway,
as it il sometimes necessary for neighbor
10 send in an alarm, and often assistance
can be rendered before the department
arrives.
The truck company will arrive In from
three to five minutes. People can usually
remain in their rooms at least thai length
Of time. DO not jump, nor try TO hang
out the window or climb out tunless forced
out 10y fTe) unless there is a ledge wide
enough for support. Don't Try To hang
on the sill. The human grip will not last
over Q couple Of minutes at best. II is
seldom that a woman can hold on in this
manner at all The only thing to do is 90
wait and keep calm,
If q fire IL coming from the lower part
~ the house Il IL often impossible % reach
the scuttIe hoe because Of the dense smoke
aud heat which always arise. But the
souttle close, should he Kept clear Of rub
bish and the hook or slip latch which fas-
tens down the door In perfect order. Il
is always well. too. TO have some kind Of
fire escape at hand There 10 an aut oInatio
friction block over which a rope wall pas
ard several people can make tie desoeLt
In n few seconds. Fire eStinRIishers
such AZ are found in all large apartment
hous..s and hotels, are always advisable.
We find that very few people are killed
by being burned. II is always the smoke
which suffooates and makes them hslp-