Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-21
DESTRUCTIVE BLAZE
SEVENTEEN HORSES CREMATED
IN STANDARD OIL STABLES.
Fire Causes Loss Of 81, 0oo-Fear Of
an Explosion Creates Elk
element.

Seventeen horses were cremated and two
others were go badly burned that they had
to be shot at fire in the stables OF the
Standard OIL Company, Hail and l streets
southeast last night shortly after ~
O'Clock. The police and firemen estimate
the damage ct about $1,000, and the loss Is
not covered by insurance. Because of the
immense quantity of Oil and gasoline that
was stored in the tanks about the building
in which the fire occurred considerable
excitement was caused In the neighbornood,
but the fear of an explosion and the posi-
BILE resultant damage had mo effect on the
curious crowd. Hundreds OF persons from
different sections of the city gathered about
the burning building and the police reserves
had trouble in keeping them out of the way
of the firemen
Wilbur Coleman. son of John II Coleman,
who is employed as Waterman about the
stables, added to the excitement by rush
Ing through the line of policemen and at
tempting &c enter the burning building. His
father, he thought. was in the building and
was in danger of being burned to death.
and 1t was for the purpose of attempting
rescue that he made an effort TO enter the
stable. His appeals for assistance we're to
be heard above the noises made by the
horses and the crowd of spectators, ard
many of the latter seemed anxious to as
sist him. When the young man had been
taken away a hasty search VS. male for
his father and the latter was found in the
Office of the superintendent. Mrs. Coleman,
his wife. was notified that he was safe and
the excitement was soon over.
Alarm Turned in at 1920 O'Clock.
1t was about twenty minutes past 10
O'Clock when the fire in the stable was dis
covered and alarm was sounded from
box 533. Members of the several companies
hat aod oil Of a
glance that there danger of the flames
spreading and getting beyond their control,
and that an explosion of the liquid stored
in the big tanks would mean the destruc-
ton of thousands of dollars worth of prop
erty and possibly the death of a number
Of persons. A second alarm was therefore
sent in and additional companies sum-
moned. The fire had apparently started in
the rear end of the stable. where there was
quantity of hay and other feed stored,
and the flames spread so rapidly that the
rescue of the imprisoned animals was a
matter of grave danger.
Men who were employed in the vicinity of
the plant of the oil company, and a number
OF those living in the neighborhood hur-
ried to the stable and were engaged in the
work of rescuing the stock when the fire
men reached the scene. The blaze was in
terfering with the workers, and it soon be-
came necessary for the firernen to exclude
the volunteers. Twenty animals remained
in the building at the time the rescue work
was stopped and seventeen of them were
cremated. Those rescued had received
we're burns Two of them, 1t was stated.
had to be shot and the third one Is under
the care of a veterinarian.
To Prevent Explosion.
While most of the fremen were engaged
upon the blaze others were kept busy
throwing water upon the big tanks to pre-
vent them from becoming overheated and
exploding. The flames burned through the
roof of the brick structure, but did not
damage the walls to SO great an extent that
they will have to be torn down. The fire
marshal estimated the damage to the build
ing at about $1,000, the other damages be-
ing to the feed, harness and the loss of
stock.
The dead bodies of the animals were
taken from the ruins and sent down the
river this morning. Workmen were also
employed to remove the debris, and, 1t is
believed, work upon the stable will be be-
gun tomorrow.
Another Blaze.
The fire department received call about
7:30 O'Clock this morning and quick run
was made to the house of John w. Jarboe,
80 Il street southwest Trouble with q
gasoline stove had resulted In causing
blaze in the kitchen Of the house. 1t was
extinguished before the property had been
damaged