The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-05-18
FIRE Loss PLACED
AT $72,325 TODAY
Wiegand Planning Mill Blaze
Will Not Deter Owner
From Resuming.

Fire Marshal Nicholson today esti-
mated the damage done yesterday by
fire, which started In the planning mill
of Martin Wiegand, Four-and-a-half
street and Maryland avenue southwest,
at s72,S25. Mr.. Wiegand was insured for
about one-fifth the amount of his loss.
While the firemen were at first unable
to account for the origin of the blaze,
II is believed today that the fire was
caused by sawdust becoming ignited
from sparks resulting from the friction
Of a sandpapering machine
In spite of his heavy loss and the fact
that seven fires have occurred in the
same lumber yard. Mr. wiegand ex-
poets to rebuild the planning mill and
will commence laying in new stock of
lumber Immediately.
Mr.. Wiegand had the contract for fur
nishing the interior woodwork and
panels for the handsome new Imman-
uel Baptist Church. Sixteenth street
and Columbia road, which is nearing
completion. Hardwood used for this
purpose has TO be kept in the drying
room at least six weeks, and as only
a small portion Of the work had been
delivered. the completion of the church
probably will be delayed two months.
Speciality Is Hardwood.
The firm made a speciality of hard
wood interior work and all Of the stock,
valued at $4,000. was destroyed. The
flames spread so rapidly that several
workmen on the second floor of the mill
had difficulty in getting out. The fire
caused panic among persons living
in Armory place, a narrow alley in the
rear OF the mill. Most Of the occu-
pants Of the houses in the alley are
Italians, who dragged their household
effects TO the street, expecting that their
homes would be destroyed.
The blaze was the most stubborn that
the firamen have been called upon to
cope with in several months. The big
piles OF lumber and the finished wood
work in the mill burned like finder.
When the first engines arrived the
whole yard was enveloped in flames,
which threatened to spread to adjoin-
Ing buildings, and a general alarm was
sounded
Chief Wagner, who responded to the
second alarm, directed the work of his
men. who prevented the blaze from ex-
tending beyond the residence OF Mr..
Wiegand. in Maryland avenue next to
the lumber yard. The chief had q mar
by falling timber.
Hollohan Injured
Capt Patrick HolIohan, of No. "A
engine company, was the onlv one in
Jured during the fire. He was caught
beneath a pile Of falling lumber and
badly bruised. He was taken to the
Emergency Hospital, but after treat
ment returned TO the scene OF the fire.
Several other fremen were bruised and
cut but none seriously hurt
The fremen experienced considerable
difficulty in fighting the flames from
the rear of the yard because Of the
narrow alley. Leaping out from the
back of the planning min, the flames
threatened to set fire 10 the row of
houses on the opposite side of the
alley. and for a time it was almost
impossible to lay pipe lines
Next door to Mr.. Wiegand's resi-
dence is row Of frame houses. and
had the flames spread to these dwell
ings 1t is probable the entire block
would have gone up.
Estimated Damage.
The damage is estimated as follows:
Planning mill. $4,000: machinery. So
600; stock, $4,000; office building. $4,000;
Wiegand residence, 5000: furniture,
5000; workmen's tools. 5000: adjoin-
ing buildings. 1926
While the FIRE was still burning, Mr..
Wiegand had already turned his at
'tention to plans for rebuilding. He did
not seem discouraged because Of his
large loss, and when an inquisitive by
stander asked him who owned the
property, he smiled and said:
II do. Pm Martin Wiegand. worth
$4,000 less than / was ten minutes
ago, too"