Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-20

About 12:4U o'clock last night Police
men Bursey and Gilfo:le of the eighth
precinct turned in alarms from boxes S22
and PA, calling companies of the fire de-
partment to the lumber yards of Eisinser
Brothers. the blaze being one which
threatened to assume serious proportions
and wipe out a large area of that sec
ton. One policeman was told of the fire
by colored boy living in that vicinity,
and a belated pedestrian on his way home
called the attention of the other police
man to it. Second third, fourth and
fifth alarms were promptly sounded, call
ing out twelve engine companies. five
trucks. the water tower and Chief Belt
and his three assistants Chief Belt gave
instructions to the firemen to protect the
frame structures on the grounds OF
Freedmen's Hospital and alons 9TH street.
from his observations the structures OH
the north side OF W street being safe.
Firemen remained a the scene OF the
fire all night. and several companies re-
manned there today until the last spark
had disappeared.
Total Damage Estimated.
Owners of the damaged property and
others went over the ground today and
reached the conclusion that the total
amount of damage will reach nearly $780,
Oao. and It is believed the loss is covered
by insurance. although it Is possible the
81 800 insurance carried by Rinaido
Brothers will not cover their loss. In adj
dition to the stock in store they had sew
eral hundred dollars worth of goods In
storeroom on the upper floor, which was
complet ely destroyed. Part of the CON
tents of the lower store was saved Most
xl,n~ tahl 10
erty in the three damaged houses on w
street were saved.
Two horses persisted in the stable OF
Eisinger Brothers but nearly a score OF
animals were rescued
Supposed Origin of the Fire.
The fire. it is believed, started in the
mill of Eisinser Bros. a new frame
structure, which. was just about conf
pleted, and the blaze had reached other
structures and the immense piles of lum-
Der by the time the f1remen arrived.
There was a stiff breeze blowing and the
iremen discovered that only prompt and
effective work could save the grandstand
and other buildings on the base ball
grounds and the many frame dwellings,
along 18th street The vacated buildings
on the Freedmen's Hospital property were
also in danger. but there were no pa
| tents in any Of them.
Lines Of hose were taken through the
| lumber yard to the houses about the
| ward Occupants of more than a score
| Of the small structures hurried to the
| street with their belongings. many of
them hysterical and excited Several
wagons filled with lumber. ready to be
taken from the yard this morning, were
drawn to place where the flames could
not reach them
The members of the fire department
could be frequently seen at work in places
where it appeared they We're I'm danger
of being killed. Several of them were
on the roof at the grocery store and re-
NAMED there at work while the cornire
was blazing and holes were being burned
through the roof. Flames were shooting
about them from every direction. Many
OF the spectators turned away fearing the
roof would fall with the firemen into the
vortex below Meanwhile other firemen
and volunteers from the crowd were look
ing after the score of horses The ami
mails were turned loose into vacant
lot where they remained until they were
| secured In the stable at the Maryland
House.
Firemen Injured.
Three firemen were injured, one while
on his way to the scene and the others
while at work in the lumber yard. An
thony J. Mosheuvel. captain of No.
truck company sustained the severest in
jures.s He was on pile of lumber direct
ing the work Of the members of his COM
pary when the lumber gave way and
threw him to the ground. Both legs
were fractured and he was removed to
Garfield Hospital a. r. Trodden. driver
of No. II engine company's horses, was
thrown from the seat of his engine about
the time his vehicle reached the fire. His
right arm was broken and he sustained
number of slight bruises.
About 10 o'clock this morning Patrick