Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-05
COSTLY FIRES TODAY
LOSSES AGGREGATE NEARLY
SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.
A Dwelling Burned-Frozen Pipes Re-
tard the Work Of the
Engines.

The f1remen were called out twice today.
and the icy condition OF the streets ana
frozen fire plugs greatly retarded their
work. The fires caused total loss OF
nearly 81, 900. which, 1t Is stated. was IN
large measure due to the extremely cold
weather
The first run of the day was made shortly
after O'Clock this morning, when an alarm
was sounded from box 414 bringing engine
companies f. and 3, and truck company A
and Assistant Chief Kelliher to the corner
of ~ and M streets southwest.
The fire originated in brick stable in the
rear of Lilo Az street, owned and occupied
by Andrew j. Sanford, and because, Of the
ice on the streets. the horses of the fire de-
partment had to move at slower rate of
speed than usual To make matters worse
when they arrived at the burning building
the firemen found that the water in the Lire
plugs had frozen, and it was necessary to
thaw out the pipes with steam from the en-
gines before they could go into service. In
the meantime the fire had gained CONSIDER
a-.e Roadway and the stable was complete
ly Quilted.
The roof fell in and the flying sparks
set fire to the woodshed OF the house
owned and occupied by James Archer: q
District telephone operator, at 1117 AZ
street A frame stable in the rear OF
1121 An street. occupied by Thomas X
Kennedy, also caught fire, but the hremen
succeeded in extinguishing the last two,
and IT Is thought that SO will cover the
damage sustained by Archer and Ken
nedy.
Origin Of Blaze Unknown.
1t is not known how the fire originated.
but It was first discovered by William Par
ker, colored, twenty years old. en-
pleyed by Sanford, who permits him to
g. j, 49, :. ;s,S.I,- f1,a cto3,jo Tha eal-
ored man was awakened by the noise of
the flames and jumping from his bed, he
hurried across the floor. which by that time
was ablaze, and was forced to jump from a
window without having time to put on any
of his clothing. On
feet were slightly Scorched and it was nee
essary for him to-, go to the Emergency
Hospital for surgical treatment Several
horses and vehicles WHICH were on the
ground floor of the stable were taken out
in safety. The valuable dogs. however.
were burned1Ito death. The police of the
fourth precinct, estimate, the loss at about
1900, which is partly covered by insur-
ance.
Another Costly Blaze
Another SECTION Of the fire, department,
consisting of engine companies IL and
and truck D, under command Of Chief En-
gineer Belt, experienced the same difficult
ties about O'clock when they answered
an alarm for fire at the home of Mrs M.
R. Barnard, No IS S street northwest, but
the firemen before they could go to work
had to thaw the water in the fire PLUS.
The blaze was discovered by Mrs. Bar
rard who went to the basement OF the
house to attend to the furnace When she
orened the basement door she was met by
a blast of flame which slightly scorched
her face and hands and singed her hair.
Mrs. Barnard, who has three daughters.
one an Invalid, hurried to the upper part OF
the house. where che gave the alarm. One
of the daughters ran out to the front of the
house and sent cClored youth to No. II
engine company.
In the meantime Bicycle Policeman
Walsh of the eighth precinct had sent in an
alarm. The ice ON the streets and the
frozen fire plugs delayed Ia apparatus in
getting to work and they did not succeed
in getting the fire under control until the
house had been completely burned out. The
damage to the house is placed at 81 500. and
furniture value at 81 600 was destroyed.
The police were told that there was $500
insurance on the house and $500 on the
furniture
Small Losses Elsewhere.
The residence Of John B. Chase, Nc. &C 8
street, adjoining the home of Mrs. Bar
nard. was damaged by smoke and water to
the extent of about $500 A similar loss was
sustained by John Lynch, who occupies
No. 20 on the other side.
While preparing to leave quarters to go
to the fire Daniel Williams, a fireman at
tached to truck B, fell through the well
hole at the companys quarters Fortunately
he escaped serious injury, but was SO bad
ly shaken up that he had to sent to his
home in the patrol wagon from the third
Dracjpct