The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-02-16
Twelve Families Robbed
of All Worldly Posses
SiOnS by Blaze.
Origin of ConflagratiOn
Unknown, and Loss
Is $4,000.
WASHINGTON TINES BUREAU.
ALEXANDRIA. VA. FEB. &c.


one woman dead and twelve families
homeless, with all OF their furniture
practically destroyed, are the results
Of a fire last right which destroyed the
row of houses. from 500 to 53l North Al
fred street commonly known as We'd
derburns row.
Mrs. Sarah r. Skillman. who lost her
life as a result OF Che blaze. was III in
the house. No. 5l3, occupied by II. K.
Henderson. She was removed 10 the
street, when the fire reached the struc-
ture. the Alexandria Hospital am5U-
lance summoned, and she was taken
10 the home of EeT niece. Mrs. Della
MILAN 1S North Pitt street but died
lance. Mrs. Skillman was sixty years
of age Her death is supposed 20 have
resulted from shock and exposure.
Origin OF Fire 4 Mystery.
Tho origin Of the fire is a mystery.
Clarence Taylor. in whose house it is
said 20 have originated. said this morn
ing that he and his wlIe had left the
house about o'clock last evening.
When ne left there was no fire in the
house, except "a small one in the kitchen
stovC When he returned home about
two hours later he discovered the row
in a blaze.
H. K. Henderson. whose house adjOins
that Of Mr. Taylor. said that when he
discovered the fire It was burning in the
wall between his house and Mr.. Tay-
lor's- He did not know how It origi-
mated.
The whole row is connected. there be-
ing no fire wall between them. and
when the fire once started IL destroyed
the entire twelve houses as one build
ing. The fire department did good
work. despite the great Roadway which
had been gained by the flames before Its
arrival Chief PetcCy. seeing that the
two engines would be unable to cope
with the flames. ordered out the reserve
engine. but the three combined were
powerless to check the blaze.
A Scene of DesOlation.
The scene at the ruins this morning
was a pitiful one. The mem >rs OF the
families which had occupied the burned
houses sat around In the street, guard
ing what few possessions were left to
them by the flames. Most Of the fuTni-
tuTc IN the houses was destroyed >
collection has been started for the relief
of those affected by the fire.
A number of narrow escapes took
place during the progress Of the fire.
Policeman Jones. while In the second
story of one of the buildings, was
knocked down by the ceiling falling in
upon him. He managed 10 drag himself
ground.
George Walker. a fireman, was severe
y burned about the face by the flames.
John Travis, "a fireman. was hit on the
head by 4 beam and rendered uncon-
sCiOus He was taken from the building
and medical assistance rendered by DR.
Powell; Robert Smith, a fireman. while
moving furniture from n house. was
overcome by smoke and was dragged
from the building before the flames
reached him.
Loss Will Be Fully $4,000.
The loss TO the furniture, which is es-
timated at from $1,000 to 5000, is not
covered by insurance while that on the
buildings. which will run from 5000 to
$4,000, is partially covered. Tie buildings
were owned by o. IT. Daniels. II. X
Henderson. Mrs. Henry Green. J. B.
Hughes, and the estate Of the late capt
William II. Smith.
me houses were occupied by the fol-
lowing persons: No 500. O. H. Daniels;
5ll. Policeman Charles IT. Bell: 5l3 II.
X. Henderson; 5lj. Mrs. Daniel Jen-
kins; 5l7 Edgar Padgctt and Robert
Robey; 80. Clarence Taylor: 521. Oliver
Bogue. 20. Thomas Henderson; 52J.
Mrs Posey; 52l. s. Arthur Powell: 529
A. H. Elliott; 81, PeytOn T. Everett.