The Washington herald., 1909-01-09

A repetition Of the Bremerman tragedy.
in which three persons were killed from
InhaIing carbon monoxide gas, was mar
rovIy averted yesterday, in the same
apartment, at 1919 First street northwest,
occupied by Bremerman and his family
II that time. when sitting fumes came
from the water heater and the pipe
connecting it with the gas range burst
The heater. the same one which caused
tie death Of three persons and which
was used by Dr.. Harvey ". Wiley and
his assistants in experimenting prepara-
JOry 10 rraking their report on the dan
serous quality Of the gas. was installed
IN the apartment yesterday morning It
burned in a peculiar manner when
lighted, and a strong odor was noticed.
Fumes also came from the oven Of the
gas range
Every Light Went Out.
When the pipe burst every light in the
apartment house went out. Mrs. Reed,
wife Of O. a Reed. who now occupies
her feet. The gas fumes dazed her
When told Of the accident last night,
Commissioner Henry b F. Macfarland
said he would investigate the matter
early this morning.
Reed, who is an employe OF the Gov
ernment Printing Office, vas present
when the heater was attached. He said
the slide regulating the amount OF oxy-
gen 10 the burner WAS closed when the
connection was made. L was only when
he demonstrated with the plumber that
II was opened
When the heater was lighted It burned
with a hickering flame. and sickenlng
fumes came from it, These fumes pro-
duced dizziness. and were in every way
similar 70 those which Bremsrman
smelled when he entered the house and
found his family dead.
Loud Explosion.
Reed advised his wife not to use the
heater She followed his advice and did
not light the burner again Shortly be
fore O'Clock she lighted the gas range.
II burned with a yellow fame. and she
turned it out A few minutes later she
relighted #.
Mrs Reed was standing near the range.
when there was loud explosion. She
was almost thrown TO the floor and all
the lights again went out Almost over
come by the fumes that filed the room.
she ran from the kitchen.
A man visiting n the house went 10
her assistance He investigated. and
learning the trouble came from the gas
pipes. shut of the gas. He then went
into the kitchen. and found the pipe
connecting the heater with the range
was blown n half. He plugged I'D the
hole. and, in measure. stopped the flow
Of gas
Mrs Reed was badly frightened. and
fl was some minutes before she could
be Quieted She said the odor OF gas
went 10 her head and produced dizzy.
aching sensation.
wants Investigation.
8Ir Reed said last night he would take
steps to have an immediate investigation
made.
IF this thing had occurred In the day.
when my wife was alone" he said. "she
might have shared the fate Of Bremer-
mans family Had It occurred in the
night, it is probable every one in the
apartment would have been killed I
have had some experience with gas ap-
pliances.
There Is high pressure in the mains
in our vicinity, and It is unsafe 10 turn
the burners on full at any tine. for the
gas is forced out IN such a manner that
there IS not proper combustion, and
much Of II escapes into the room
Reed moved into the apartment in
First street on December Il Ig0S There
was no water heater in the place. a few
days ago he asked that some kind OF
heater be installed. and Thursday night
a heater was delivered at the house.
Yesterday morning a young plumber
came 10 the house TO connect Il. He said
IL was the same heater as that used by
the Bremermans. Reed protested, and
was assured that everything had been
fixed in such nannar that there was no
danger
BremermaR Tragedy.
on December s Clarence Bremerman =
stenographer in the Congressional Ii
brary. returned 10 his home and found
his wife, Mrs. He5e Cuts Bremerman.
his mother. Mrs Helen Bremerman, and
his infant son. Cuts Bremerman, and
Investigation showed death was due TO
carbon monOxide poisoning
4 letter formally recommending that
p Congress amend the laws in the District
respecting the manufacture and distribu-
ton Of water gas" containing a high per
cent Of deadly carbon monoxide was
forwarded 10 Representative Samuel W
Smith, chairman Of the House District
Committee, yesterday by the Board OF
Commissioners Of the District.
Chairman Smith said he would urge the
adoption OF any measure the Commis-
sioners might transmit 10 him, and. ac-
cordIngly. the corporation counsel. E H
Thomas, wiz be asked to-day TO frame a
bin.
VIII Support Bill.
Many members of the House and Sen
ate who have been approached on the
subject declare they viii support any bill
which urges legislation for safer and
better gas in the District The Commis-
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