The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-12
MYSTERIOUS FIRE
DAMAGES CHURCH
st. Marks Lutheran Prey
of Flames.
NO SERVICE LAST NIGHT
When First Discovered Interior of the
Edifce Was Filled With
Flames.
Vo SERVICE LAST NIGHT

The Lutheran churches OF the city
would seem to. be singularly Inflated,
in the light of recent events. First, the
Memorial Church was almost destroyed,
and now St. Marks. I'm Street south
west between Twelfth and Thirteenth
Streets, is Quilted as a result of a fire
which was discovered at an early hour
this morning
The origin of the latter fire cannot be
ascertained. 1t started in the basement,
but not near the furnace. There was
no service at the church last night, the
last having been on Wednesday night.
John Dietz. neighbor, first saw the
flames, which by that time seemed TO
fill the entire interior. He ran to box
431. and turned in an alarm. Engine
companies 2, t. and II and Truck c. un-
der Assistant Chief Kelliher. responded.
A Second Alarm.
The situation was such that Chief
Kelliher at once turned in a second
alarm. calling out engine companies
and 6 and Truck A, Assistant Chief
Smith, Acting Assistant Chief CARING
ton. and Chief Belt. who assumed per-
sonal control. The reserves of the
Fourth precinct also responded, while
those of the First precinct were placed
in readiness to make the run at mo-
ment's notice.
The latter were not needed. however.
as the fire department did such good
work that, despite the Roadway gained.
the flames were soon under control.
When all was over. IL was found that
the floor was burned through over the
central portion of the basement, the or
gan was a complete ruin, half the furni-
ture was gone, while the walls and cell
ing were BACKED by smoke and devoid
of plaster in large patches.
The Walls Intact.
The walls and roof. however. are in
tact and apparently uninJured. while
but one OF the memorial cathedral win
dows was cracked-''a tribute to the
care of the fremen." says the Rev. J.
Luther FrantZ, pastor of the church.
The loss Is placed by the fire officials
at between $500 and 5000, of which
81, 900 represents the cost price Of the or
gan; 800 damage to furniture, and 1896
to the building itself Members of the
congregation place their loss much
higher. A meeting Of the board of trus-
tees of the church was held this after
noon. to consider ways and means of
repairing the damage.
Fireman Il Hurt.
An unpleasant incident OF the fire was
the accident to Fireman ]. McElwee, OF
NJ" 2 engine company, who was caught
be ,ween his engine and truck G as the
two were rounding up at the fire and sc.
verely mashed. McEiwee was taken TO
the Emergency Hospital where il was
found that he was not seriously hurt.
Other Fires.
A lace curtain and a lighted gas Jet
caused fire yesterday afternoon in the
house of Carrie Beckiey. 1924 I Street
northwest Before the fire department
had the flames under control the house
had been damaged to the extent Of 800
while the damage 10 the furniture
amounted to half as much more.
Stepping on a box of matches last
night. a servant in the Office OF DR.
Zenas W. Alderman, dentist at 2.
| New jersey Avenue northwest, started
a fire which ignited a couch, but the fire
was extinguished with loss Of S.
The overturning of an oil stove start
/ ed a blaze in the grocery store OF
| Charles NJ. Smoot, 301 Third Street
( southeast, late yesterday afternoon. The
stock of groceries was damaged to the
| ex, emit of 800.
SIPS to Baltimore and Return.