The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-01
MIDNIGHT FIRE LOSS
Flames Badly Damage the
L. N. Richards Stock.
TWO ALARMS ARE SOUNDED
Blaze Feeds ON Wall Paper and
Makes Rapid Progress. and With
Great Difficulty Is Confined to Top
Floor, Where IL Started-Firemen
Soon Master the Situation.

Flames We're discovered coming from
the rear of the four-story building at 1890
G street northwest last night shortly af-
ter y o'clock. Policeman J. +. Hartman
of the First precinct. who first noticed
the blaze turned in the alarm. The fire
started in the top story of the building
occupied by F. n. Richards, wholesale
and retail wall paper merchant. and
spread rapidly over the entire top floor
II was beyond control and a second
alarm was sounded at 12:25 o'clock
With two streams playing on the blaze
from the roof of adjoining buildings, one
from the front windows. and another
from an alleywsy TO the east, the flames
were confined 10 the one floor. The loss
owing to the large stock of wall paper,
will amount 10 several thousands OF dol
lars The building at 1S2S G street. occu-
pied by Louis P. Remind. jeweler was
slightly damaged. as was also Reminds
stock of jewelry.
Seven Engines on Scene.
With the ringing of the second alarm
four additional engines responded. max
ing in all seven firefghters present. Chief
Belt, accompanied by Battalion Chiefs
Wagner and Sullivan. arrived a few min
utes after turning in the second alarm
and took charge Of the fight
The firemen were hampered by the fact
that the stairway in front Of the building
had been removed In the renodeling re-
Gently completed. A small stairway and
an elevator in the rear were the only
means of access TO the upper floor
Trucks Nos. , and were taken 10 the
front OF the building. and the tower
ladders Of each were raised so the firemen
were able to enter the windows Of the
third and fourth floors. a few minutes
later ten streams were pouring water on
the flames and by quick work the fire
was confined 10 the fourth floor
Flames Under Control.
Within an hour after the arrival Of the
first engine. the fire was under control
in spite Of the smoke. which continued
TO pour from the windows some time
after the danger was over. Efforts were
then directed to bailing OF the accumu-
lated water on the third. second. and
first stories.
The fact that it was SATURDAY. night
and only "A few minutes after the theaters
had let out brought a big crowd 10 the
scene. The people filled G street from
Thirteenth 10 Twelfth street Policemen
from the First Second. Fourth. and Sixth
precincts We're rushed TO the scene and in
few minutes the crowd was driven back
and FIRE lines formed.
Street car traffic in G street and in
Fourteenth street was tied up because
OF hose placed across the tracks.
The building was taken up entirely with
the large stock OF wall paper. and this
in1ammable material stored in pigeon
holes along the walls. burned rapidly.
Origin OF the Fire.
Fire Marshal Nicholson. after "A thor
ough examination as 70 the origin oF the
fire. said il probably originated in the
elevator shaft on the fourth floor There
is no stove in this portion of the building
and il Is possible defective wires were
responsible.
Mr.. Nicholson said the damage to the
building would be close to 5000 while
the damage on stock he estimated.
would be about $4,000, making a total Of
$50. 600.
Mr.. Richards was not found at his
residence, but It IS understood the insur-
ance on the stock is about $1,000.