Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-05
FIRES AND ACCIDENTS
RECORD OF INDEPENDENCE DAY
IN WASHINGTON. a
Calls Made Upon Firemen and Sur
geons-Casualties Not as Numer-
Gus as Was Expected.

There were many noisy crowds about the
city last night where people were setting
Off fireworks but the casualties resulting
therefrom were not numerous. Several
fights occurred, and the hospitals got the
victims. The only serious affair was the
shooting of Policeman Smith in George
town. chinatown" was the scene of a
lively gathering, and fully 1900 persons
gathered on the street to witness the PRO
gram" presented by the celestials. Much
annoyance was caused by the use of ex-
many instances were almost severe enough
to throw passengers from their seats Many
complaints were made because of this prac-
tice. and 1t is probable that before another
national anniversary rolls around a strin-
gent law Will be enacted which will put a
stop to it.
Several calls We're made on the fire de-
partment, but the total amount of damage
done was not great. Chief Belt had firemen
with chemical pumps on hand along the
business section, where the danger was
greatest because of the number of avn
ings. These tremen we-e provided with
water enough to extinguish small blaze
| in the event of sparks from fireworks caus-
ing trouble.
There was a fire threatened at the corner
of 9TH and Fl streets shortly after o'clock,
when a spark set fire to a bundle of sky
rockets on the sidewalk. A ball from
of the rockets injured the arm of Mrs.
Summers. who was on the opposite side of
the street, and another broke the show
window at Auerbach'S store. causing about
$40 damage. A fireman promptly on
hand to prevent confiagration.
The most disastrous fire occurred in the
stable of A. A Smith. in the rear of 141S
Sth street northwest. some time after mid
night, and while it's origin is unknown it is
believed that sparks from fireworks were
responsible for it. An alarm turned in from
box 217 called out the fire department, and
the blaze was eXtinguished after about
$500 damage had been done.
Other Small Fires
Fireworks were responsible for blaze in
the house of A. A. Robey, 613 Sd street
northeast, about 10 o'clock last night. Sew
eral companies of the fire department went
to the house in response to an alarm, and
the blaze was soon extinguished. Mr.. Ro-
hey will pay about $25 in losses because of
the celebration.
Solomon Clements living at 49, I'd street
southwest, is another man who was put to
expense by the manner in which the glo-
| rious Fourth was celebrated. Shortly after
o'clock he had reason to believe his home
was about to be destroyed. and call was
turned in to summon assistance. The blaze
proved only slight one, however, and not
more than so damage resulted.
Early in the afternoon the firemen re-
ceived a call from box 81 because of
blaze on the roof at the house of Mrs. An
ME King, 400 Virginia avenue southeast.
Very little damage was done.
The awning in front of John Stacks Sa-
loon, corner of I'd and G. streets northwest,
caught fire, and the blaze was extinguish-
ed without calling on the fire department
for assistance.
The awning in front of the business place
of George Herrold, 1913 9th street north
west was also damaged.
Another awning fire occurred in front OF
434 9th street northwest. This blaze oc-
Cured about 10 o'clock, and was eXtin-
guished by members of No IA engine COM
pany. 1t will require the expenditure of 50
to make the repairs.
In Georgetown there was a fire which re-
suited in the destruction of about $500
worth of property. The fire occurred in
the house of William Gaskins, 1902 X
street. 1t is stated in the police report
that it's origin is unknown but it is be-
lieved it was caused by fireworks
Simon Flagman's bakery, at 200 G street
northeast, was badly damaged by fire early
in the evening. He estimates his loss at
about $3.50. The fire started in the stable
in rear of the bakery, and was possibly
caused by fireworks.