The Washington times., 1907-01-02
NEGROES ROB
HOMES WHILE
FIRE RACES
Thrilling ReScueS From
Burning Tenement of
People Driven Out
Scantily Clad.

NEW YORK. Jan. ? Thousands OF
tenement dwelIers were driven from
their homes early today and two whole
blocks were menaced by one Of the
fiercest biazes Of tae winter. while the
hremen stood looking on helpless 10 fight
the flames because Of lack OF water
pressure Water IN the boilers If the
fire engines ran low and the crews were
forced 10 draw the fires from under
them TO prevent explosions
While the IRE was burning its fiercest
and the streets about the blazing tene-
ments were packed with scantily clad
people. a score OF horses lOusened from
stable in which the flames are believed
10 have started. stampeded in the street
and threw the crowds into a frenzy, at
the same time dashing into the FIRE de-
parJment horses and almost stampeding
them
TO add 10 the confusion negro robbers
rushed into the burning buildings and
looted the tenement deserted by their
panic-stricken owners. One negro was
caught IN the act and a dozen shots
We're fired at him as lie tried TO esca pc,
and before he was laid out by a blow
from a patrolman's night stick
Ihe nre Was started IN a livery stable
al 429 and fsi West F-fty-third stree.
Race Riot Threatened.
With the streets filed with half
clothed men and women, the former
cursing. and the latter crying hyst-ric-
ally. the police. who had worked fran
tically 10 save residents OF the tenements.
a number OF whom were III and others
overcome with smoke. were called upon
TO meet A new trouble in the form Of a
threatened race riot
All OF the buildings in the region OF
the fire had been practically emptied,
and q number Of thrilling rescues effect
ed, when the cry that negro thieves We're
loOting the buildings was raised. The
police scattered and entered the burn
ing buildings. AT as West Forty
third street. six negroes, laden with loot,
were encountered by the Officers A
desperate fight was waged IN the smoke
filled Railways. which ended in the rout
OF the thieves and their disappearance
in the crowd.
Negro Knocks Woman Down.
A few minutes later q negro snatehed
a bag Of trinkets from a woman at
Fifty-third street and Tenth avenue and
then knocked her down when she
screamed. \ crowd started in pursuit
and dozen shots were fired at the
man before he was brought down by an
officers night stick.
Then the report Of the negro 0utrag ges
reached the throngs in the vicinity of
the IRE and a negro hunt was started
i dozen in0neHs5Vc cOlOFed persons We're
badly beaten before the officers could
interfere. other negroes IN the crowd
took the tip from the police and hustled
10 their homes
The department arrived quickly and
no trouble was feared until the water
gave out and the firemen were forced
10 stand idle and watch the flames
spread. The first burst of flames drew
hundreds to the scene and the stampede
Of the horses occurred before the FIRE
lines could be thrown out.
Flames Spread Quickly.
Once the flames gained headwey they
spread quickly to two adjoining tene-
ments and the occupants of those who
had regarded the livery stable ire as
escaped with difficulty,
many Of them being assisted down fire
escapes by the police. While these res
-ues were being made burning cornice
falling injured a dozen persons and the
irst ambulance call was sounded.
The walls OF the stable collapsed. in
juring a number of firemen, and the
second call for ambulances resulted. I
Up to noon no deaths had resulted, bUt /
t IS believed that fatalities will Ger
.ainly result from the injuries a number
sustained and from the exposure TO |
which others were subjected.
The property loss Is estimated al /
upward Of 100000.