Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-12
HIS OFFICIAL REPORT
BELTS STATEMENT or
WORK DOME IN BALTIMORE
Prompt Response Of Fire Department
to Appeal for
Aid.

Chief Engineer VIM. 7. Belt OF the WASH
fngton fire department today submitted to
Commissioner mcfarland a report of the
work of the local fire department in the
Baltimore conflagration. Chief Belts re-
port reviews briefly the operations of the
Washington firenen in Baltimore and the
results of their assistance. in the attempting
to stop the devastating sweep of the de-
structive flames. He speaks highly OF the
assistance rendered to the firemen by DR..
Thomas Bowling of this city, and praises
the Washington firemen for their gallant
and efficient work during the hre.
Chief Belt mentions that the telegram TOT
assistance from Chief Horton of Baltimore
was received by him at 11:55 a. m: Sunday;
Five minutes after the receipt OF the
telegram" he states IT was at the Bafi-
more and Ohio freight depot. according to
Commissioner Maefarland's directions. and
directing the loading Of the apparatus ana
horses Of engine companies Nos 3 ana on
a special train. At 1856 O'Clock pm. the
train departed for Baltimore. On this train,
besides myself, was Fire Marshal Sidney
Bieber. thirty men and the horses ana 2p-
paratus of the department The tram ar
rived at Camden station, Baltimore, thirty
six minutes after leaving the station at
Washington. The horses and apparatus
were Immediately unloaded and carried 10
the scene of the confiagration the depart
nlent taking a position IN McClellan's alley.
one of the points where the fire ragged, and
at 1855 o'clock pm. two streams were play
ing on the fire.
Protecting Exposed Point.
after hard fighting the fire at this
point was prevented from travelling to the
opposite side of the alley. thereby protect
ing the buildings that faced Hopkins place
and Fayette street. 1 then directed the
companies to move to the leeward of the
fire. frequently changing their positions as
the flames advanced, until the Maltoy
House was reached early Monday morn
ing. where, with the assistance OF the
Philadelphia and Baltimore companies. the
fire was practically checked at that point
this department alone having five streams
playing on the fire. The departments at
tention was then given to the lumber dock
on the eastern side of Jones Falls. where
the fire was rapidly spreading. and it was
here that the fire was prevented from
making further progress by the combined
efforts of this and other departments.
by your direction during the progress
of the fire this department was reinforced
by Nos. 2. and engine companies of
this city, the total force at the fire then
consisting of 100 men, 5 engines, hose ap-
i rus, II horses and $3.50 feet of hose.
The estima ted cost of repairs to apparatus
that was broken while serving in Balti-
more is sos.
''The firemen suffered greatly from ex-
posture to cold, burning timber and intense
smoke. but, I glad to state, no other
casualties occurred to them.
In this connection 1 desire to state that
l am deeply indebted to Dr. Thomas Dow
ling of this city for his timely assistance to
the men in rendering them medical aid he
having come from Washington prepared
with medicine and bandages for the
wounded I suffered a great deal with my
eyes, being at one time nearly blinded from
the gases and chemical smoke and. 1 be-
lieve, had it not been for the relief he gave
me l would have had to continue fighting
the fire in blinded condition.
1t is significant to note that Chief Belt
states that. had he not been relieved he
would have had to continue fighting the
fire in a blinded condition." and that he
does not suggest the idea of ceasing his
efforts.
Compliments the Men
In concluding his report Chief Belt says:
Il desire to express my deeply grateful
appreciation for the gallant, heroic and eff
cient work Of the men under my command
at this fire. also desire to state that the
officers and members of the Baltimore city
fire department and the citizens of that city
extended to the members of this department
nothing burt the most courteous and kindly
treatment.
Commissioner mcfarland has Endorsed on
Chief Belts report the following motion:
4 move that the Commissioners thank the
officers and men of the fire department,
through the chief engineer, for the impor-
tant and unusual service which they rem
dered SO faithfully, persistently and cour-
aPeOuSlY at Baltimore"