Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-01
FIREMEN FOUGHT BLAZE
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE ATTRACTS
MUCH ATTENTION.
Persons From the Theaters Watch Bat
tie With Interest-Financial
Damage Not Great.

Thousands OF persons gathered on Penn
syivania avenue near 13is street last night
about IL O'Clock and watched the members
OF several companies OF the fire department
fight fire that started in the brass foundry
of e. c. Catiin, 4O3 and 400 1917 street o.
curing just about the time the people were
leaving tho theaters. the blaze attracted
more than the usual crowd and many OF the
curious ones remained about the scene until
long after midnight. In the house adtoin-
ing the foundry the firemen had some Diff
Guilty In arousing the wife and children OF
NJ. Stephano and getting them from the
burning structure. The roof OF the Steph-
ano home had been reached by the flames
and 1t was with difficulty that the firemen
were able to prevent its destruction. About
800 damage was caused to the roof of the
house, while the damage to the foundry
building Is estimated at about 800. Tho
loss sustained to the stock OF Mr. Catiin
amounts to more than $500. Both damaged
buildings and the stock of Mr. Catlin were
insured. There was nothing found by the
nremen or police to indicate the origin Of
the fire.
Thomas H. Hall. owner OF the foundry
building, was walking along Pennsylvania
avenue last night and was attracted to the
scene by the blaze He was greatly sur
prised when he found that his property was
burning. Mr.. CatlIn was at home al tina
time the fire started and was told of the
blaze by Special Policeman BENJAMIN Kfop-
fer. Policeman Edward Curry and Speciai
Policeman klopfer were walking along l31.
street when their attention was attra ctai
to smoke issuing from the foundry Look
ing through the door they saw a blaze In
the building and promptly turned I'm an
alarm from box las. 1t was due to the
prompt action on the part OF the Off GERS and
the quick response and good work OF the
nremen that a more serious fire was ayerted
Inc names had reached the two floors of
the building by the time the firemen reach
ed the burning structure and the explosion
or small quantity of acid alarmed the fire.
men and caused some OF the curious ones
TO move away from the building. Fortu.
nateiy Tor the nremen none of them was In
position to be injured by the debris that
was thrown about the upper floor by the
explosion
Battalion Chief Wagner directed the ef-
lofts f OF the hremen and was congratulated
Tor the effective work done by his men.
Sergt. Hartley of the first precinct had
charge of the police reserves and IL was
with dimculty that they were able to keep
1t was not until long after midnight that
the last engine company and the police left
the vicinity OF the burned building and then
the last OF the crowd departed.
Other Fire Alarms.
A local alarm OF fire sent in this morn.
Ing about $50 o'clock summoned No.
engine company to 1920 Pennsylvania ave.
nue. northwest. There was a blaze I'm thu
establishment of the Park News Companv
adjoining Chase's Theater, and an alarm
sounded from box las summoned the nre
companies that had responded to the same
box more than four hours earlier At no
Tune did the firemen fear the flames would
reach the theater building because thay
anew that necessary precautions had been
taken when the structure was erected TO
guard against such danger. The blaze
was extinguished after about $50 damage
nad been caused. The fremen were un-
able to determine the origin of the blaze
The lower floor of the building is occupied
by Edward Jones. dealer In stoves ana
furnaces.
A lighted gas Jet coming in contact with
some decorations caused an exciting time
IN the home of H. NJ Moss lI9O Lanier ave.
nue.. last night about 8 o'clock The fire
department received call from box sI7
While the firemen were speeding toward
the scene of the fire the occupants of the
house and others were doing their best TO
prevent the spreading OF the flames The
fire was extinguished I'm a short time but
not before about 800 damage had been
caused.
Several companies OF the fire department.
responded TO an alarm turned In from box
oIS about u o'clock last night and found
that an overheated furnace had caused n
blaze in the house OF Samuel Hill 17I2
Rhode Island avenue. Only about $40 dam.
age resulted