Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-28
BIG BUILDING DAMAGED
STRUCTURE NEAR CORNER OF
18TH AND F STREETS ABLAZE.
Rumor That Columbia Theater Was
Burning Proved to Be Incorrect
Estimated Loss $4,000.

An immense crowd Of spectators gath
cred on r street yesterday afternoon TO
watch the work Of the fire department In
extinguishing flames In the Metzerott build
ing, three doors from the corner of 18th
street. A general alarm had been sounded
to call out most of the fire companies, and
1t was noised abroad that the destruction
of the Columbia Theater was threatened.
While the Metzerott building and contents
suffered about $4,000 damage, according
to the firemen, the theater property was
not injured. A band concert was held in
the theater last night. according to pro-
gram, and the house was crowded.
The fire was discovered on the sixth floor
of the building, in the Office of Wolfe
Bros, dentists. There Is nothing to show
what caused the fire. Chief Belt believes
1t was caused by electric wires or escaping
gas. Major Sylvester was upon the scene
shortly after the sounding of the general
alarm and took a hand in the supervision
of the reserves from the several police
precincts District Commissioners Macfar-
land and West were there also as specta-
tors They were greatly pleased with the
work of the fire and police departments.
Mr.. Metzeroft expressed to Commissioner
mcfarland his appreciation of the efficient
work of the fire fighters and of Chief Belt
and the other officers Of the department.
Crossing Policeman Talbert, who saw the
evidence of a blaze in the building, turned
in an alarm from box 135, and a large rep
ed, as the box Is located in a business sec
ton where fire once started might become
very troublesome. Upon reaching the
building the firemen thought the flames
might get beyond control and reach other
structures, and in order to guard against
such a possibility, as well as to confine the
flames to as small a section of the Met
zerott building as possible. additional
olor AoI until tharn frrynr
gines enough upon the scene to make an
attractive display.
Firemen Get to Work Promptly.
After the arrival of the engine COM
panies 1t was but a short time before water
was being poured upon the flames. Addi-
tional lines of hose were taken to the
sixth floor, and the building soon gave evil
dence of being flooded. The managers of
that the theater was not flooded unneces-
sarily They were certain the building is
hreproof and would not burn. The water
from the upper floors found its way to the
cellar without touching the theater proper.
Firemen who went to the top floor had
to work hard to keep the flames under
control and save the big Office building
from destruction. There was a good sup
ply of water, and when it was evident that
the fire was under control Chief Belt had
the lines cut out until there was but one
left. Four rooms on the top floor were
burned out, and the offices and business
places on the lower floors suffered water
damage. The breaking of gas pipes and
the escape of gas on the top floor of the
building proved handicap to the firemen,
but this was finally remedied by the turn
ing off of the supply at the meter. The
most serious damage was to the building,
and Mr.. Oliver S. Metzerott, manager and
part owner, puts his loss at about $4,000,
or about the entire amount estimated by
the fire department. The damage, indie
pendent of that TO the building. is esti-
mated at about So 600. The building and
contents were partly insured. Among those
who suffered from smoke and fire are DR..
Julian Gartrell, dentist; F. T. Schneider,
architect; Will H. Grosscup, tailor; L. L.
Thompson, publisher, and ]. T. Hunt, jew
eler. Mr.. Hunt lost considerable jewelry.
]. NJ. Offutt, driver for Chief Belt, was
cut about the hand with piece of glass
while working at the fire His injury was
dressed at the Emergency Hospital.