Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-28
LABORATORY ABLAZE
FIRE LAST MIGHT ENTAILS LOSS
OF $e, 900.
Caused by Rumors Of Loss
Of Life-Pathetic Incidents
Noted.

Several iudicrous and pathetic incidents
marked the course of the conflaEration last
night which followed an explosion of cham
icals in the laboratory Of the Kretol Drug
Company. in rear Of 512 10th street north
west. The laboratory is In a long one-story
frame addition, which extends back to the
alley. DR.. John H. Thomas, the manager
of the company. was engaged in mixing
disinfectant when the explosion occurred.
and in a few minutes flames burst through
the skylight over the rear building.
It looked for a time as II the blaze would
spread to the nearby structures and result
in great conf1agration in the business CEN
ter OF the city. But the hre department
Capt Darlington. the fremen managed by
heroic efforts to confine the fire largely to
the rear addition. which was soon on fire
and water wrecked
A great crowd assembled about the place
and as the flames were blazing Hereby In
the rear and the front Of the house was
filled with dense masses of black smoke, a
was seen emerging from the front door
bearing what seemed to be the imp FORM
of a woman.
"Shes dead" shouted one.
There are others In the house" yelled
another, and a scene Of excitement foi-
lowed.
Proves to Be Clothing.
The rescuer deposited his burden on the
sidewalk, but instead of being a human
being 1t proved to be wearing apparel be-
longing to Mrs. Mamie Edeler, who occupies
some of the upper rooms, which her hus-
band was conveying to a place of safety,
For time 1t was believed that MIs'
Edeler was In the house, and John Grlmt .
dashed in through the smoke to attempt
her rescue. 1t was learned that Mrs. Eoeler
had left the house at the first outbreak OF
the fire, and Mr.. Griffith was nearly SUMO
Gated in his search for her In the thick
smoke.
Little Ernest Grifith, ten years Of age,
figured as a hero during the course Of the
confiagration. He dashed into the house
and assembled through the binding smoke
to the top floor, reappearins soon there
after bearing in his arms what appeared to
the crowd to be an infant. The supposed
real baby proved to be big rag doll. the
property Of Viola Edeler nine years OF age.
Ernest heard Viola crying that her doille
was in the house and would 'be burned to
DEATH" and he calamity entered the house
and made the rescue, receiving as ms re-
ward the cheers of the crowd and the tear
full thanks o. little Viola. Ernest also
brought out of the house with the dolly a
letter that Viola had prepared and was
ready to mail to Santa Claus
1t was at first reported that Mrs. Carrie
Curry, widow of Lewis c. Curry of the PEN
sion Office had persisted in the smoke. Mrs.
Curry, who was on her way to hospital TO
visit sick friend. saw the fire engines,
and ran down 10th street from F street,
to find that her home was in flames. Mrs.
Curry occupies rooms in the third story or
the building. She says her loss will ap-
proximate 800. She was loud in her praises
of the firemen, when she was seen today
by Star reporter
II cannot see." she said, chow they man
aged to save this building and prevent the
flames from spreading to the adjoining
houses considering the character of the
explosives In the laboratory, including tar
and carbolic acid"
Painfully Burned.
Dr. John H. Thomas, the manager of the
drug company, was painfully burned about
the face and hands and required hospital
treatment He says he cannot account for
the explosion. He added that he had a
large copper bowl In which the Kretol'
was boiling, on table near the window,
and as he poured in a quantity of carpoac
acid the chemicals sizzled UP, and In the
course Of about twenty seconds exploded
with a. terrific report, tearing the copper
bowl in half and shattering the window
and other articles in the room. The noise
was heard for a. block away, and at once
attracted a large crowd of curious persons
to the scene.
Ten beagle hounds in the cellar of the ad-
joining building were rescued. The total
loss is estimated at about 5000.