New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-14
SCENES AT A FIRE IN 81 PElEhoDuh"'
STR4NGE CONTRAST WITH THOSE FAMILIAR ~ @11
rczNs- sryBDUED EXCITEMENT THE KEYNOTE.
yankee visitor to the Russian metropolis

rrb stats Department fortunately orna-
,nents it's passports with one of the largest Size
and was not only able TO get out OF VIZ ~ -
nDnns but SO impressed the officer that was IN
vited inside the fire lines where / had mNch
better view of what going on EXTENSION 4ao-
ders similar to ours but much smaller arrived
and the hose was finally carried to the roof Newly
filled barrel wagons were dashing up every minute
o,d with fresh leyies of bumpers from the crowd
every five minutes, respectable amount OF
water began to be played on the hre II look
twenty-five men 10 get the hose up on the rool
about half the number getting in the way OF the
other half; IN fact the whole department seemed
oyercrowded. There were at least three hundred
men on the ground though about fifty OF them
seemed to be officers, who did no work and at least
fifty more men were generally resting. The second
hundred were helping the third hundred do work
that fifty active and we'll drilled men could have
accomplished in half the time. Suddenly there was
a mild amount OF excitement. and there arrived on
the two small English fire engnes-the only
two. 1 believe. in st. Petersburg. one, for some
reason or other. refused TO work The commander
of the department left his troika, and. from his
excited manner. evidently threatening the en-
tire with transportation to Siberia if some
excitement however, would start the thing going
and 1t finally Withdrawn around the corner
spectful distance they seemed afraid 10 go very
near. None of the crew remained with it, and
bid farewell to their families before entering into
fine condition. but it was entirely too strong
pumper for the limited supply. A barrel
wagon would be brought up. the suction hose put
in, and the engine would go psf psf make about
two revolutions and the barrel would be empty.
Finally a large canvas tank was produced This
was put up on an iron framework in the middle of
kept 1t supplied so that the engine could work CON
tnuously. The erection Of the tank and putting to-
it, while double that number stood around and gave
advice Apparently no one had the slightest idea
how it should be done. and seemed impossible for
a long time to get the thing right It was then I
discovered why lnlS engine ran so Well ne en-
gineer lost his temper and disclosed his IDENTITY
Though arrayed in all the glory of Russian fire
mans uniform, there was no nistaking the elo.
with which he expressed his opinion of the
present, their manner OF working and the st;
b sent Over from ngand ifb he machine to
explain its workings and this was the first oppor-
tunity he had had to demonstrate what it could do.
shake that engineer warmly by the hand. He ex-
pressed my feelings exactly. After watching things
state of mind that needed something OF this kind
Scotch friend that apparently no one except myself
within hearing seemed to have any knowledge or
The fire was now spreading to another building;
The able-boded citizens We're becoming pretty wen
exhausted from their work the pumps. and the
police were having trouble to get fresh leyes; Sud
nourced the approach of soldiers and around the
swung battalion Of infantry The officer IN
and was instructed TO stack arms lay aside equip
into squads at each hand engine and set to work In
with TINS systenauc arranstIheht SIeaGy "a ms
everything inhammable in six buildings, was about
ready to go out of its accord. The buildings,
fortunately for the rest of the city, We're all OF
stone, with stone halls, stairs etc, and there was
really nothing much burn but the contents.
What would happen with combination OF good,
active American fire and the St Petersburg Fire
Department?
The fire being at last declared officially out,
preparations were made by the companies to re-
turn to their different stations Everything had to
be put in perfect order before leaving. The non
commissioned officer in charge Of each wagon m
spected il and its men and when II was in salts
factory condition reported to the commanding
officer of the company He in turn reported to some
higher up and it was passed on until it reached
the commanding officer of the department who dis
missed the company 10 its home station with few
/ words Of congratulatiOn and a deal OF boWlng ana
salutng on the part of officers.
| Everything being over the commander lighted a
fresh cigarette and rode off in his dashing trolka,
J possibly to receive another decoration for being
| 'among those present at of the largest fires
! St Petersburg has had in years.