The Washington herald., 1909-11-04
FLAMES
THREATEN BLOCK
Continued from Page One.

Continued from Page one.
missioner. then I don't think we have
much TO fear. No fire can las- against
men like that"
These same fremen remained in their
places when the flames in the front OF
the building were being slowly driven to-
ward them. At the very end Of the blaze,
wnen charred. flaming sticks, sparks,
smoke, and bits OF heated metal were
flying from the broken windows under
tnc impetus OF the powerful streams
turned on them. the firemen stuck TO their
posts with a serenity suggestive OF an
undue intimacy with inferno. They got
away before the Commissioner learned
their names, but he intends TO find out.
During the progress Of the fire the wa
ter tower was idle Two engines were
necessary to manipulate II; therefore, II
was decided TO save the streams for
closer and more effective use
Employees Of the Reilly paint shop were
in condition of excitement when the re-
port was spread that the blaze had reach
ed the elevator shaft OF that building.
For some time the firemen were kept on
the run TO discover the blaze that was
supposedly threatening TO get among the
oils and start a fireworks display.
When the first company OF hremen
| reached the scene. hundreds Of persons
| had gathered in rear and front OF the
burning building. which seemed doomed
TO destruction. The first company went
20 an alley in the rear OF the hardware
store. Lines Of hose were carried to
roofs Of buildings across the alley from
the store and stream CT water was d.
| rected on the flames. II was seen the
fire was IN the rear OF the fourth story,
I and. as near as the firemen could judge,
this was where the blaze originated.
Three Lines of Hose.
Three lines OF hose were run through
rear entrance OF the store and carried
to the third door This was done 10 pre-
vent the flames spreading. The hremen
| in this section OF the structure were near
/ ly suffocated by smoke and were soaked
by the water thrown on the floor above
I them
Two ladders were raised against the
/ front Of the building by Truck No.
Company and two lines OF hose were car
rled up. One line was taken In through
a window on the fourth floor OF the hard
ware store. and the other line was carried
20 the roof OF the building adjoining on
/ the west.
Fighting from above, below, front and
rear the frcmen threw water at the
blaze with seemingly little effect. Then
/ Il was learned that the three upper
stories Of the hardware store were honey
! combed with 200 bins. constructed OF
/ Georgia pine. The bins were used 10
/ store hardware.
| The fire ate to the center OF the build
| Ing, where II could not be reached by
| the streams Of water. and the work OF
the firemen was hampered. For an hour
u seemed the blaze would get beyond
/ control. but just as Chief Wagner was
about TO summon help IL was seen the
/ flames were being conquered.
! Half an hour after the flames were dis
! covered, l5.0o) persons were watching the
/ fire An immense throng lined New York
! avenue and overlooked into Thirteenth
and Fourteenth streets. a network o;
alleys in the endangered block was
| blocked with spe GATORS and windows and
roofs Of nearly every building in sight
were thronged with men, women, and
children.
! Capt Hollingberger, who arrived with
the first detachment OF policemen from
| the First precinct with Lieut.. Sprinkle
saw the small force under his command
! would be inadequate 70 cope with IN,
/ crowds. and he telephoned for assistance
Police reserves from the Second. Third
Fourth. and Sixth precincts were dis
patched TO the scene by Lieut. James
Hartley.
Police Lines Formed.
The policemen formed lines. and few
minutes after their arrival spectators
had been driven back so they did not In
terfere with the fremen. Commissioner
Mcfarland. Cuno H. Rudolph. Of m,
firm OF Rudolph & West Co.; Clarence
Moore. and other prominent business and
| society men were among the first q
| reach the scene. They stood I'm New
York avenue before the burning building
and watched the spectacular sight. clad
IN evening clothes and standing IN mud
and water.
William f. West Of the firm Of Ru
dolph & West Co, is I'm New York
Mr.. Rudolph said he could only give
| an approximate estimate of the damage.
AS near as 7 can see now he said
''the loss 10 the building, stock. and re
sulting from Interference with business
win be between $4,000 and $4,000. ",
are literally insured, but / do not thinl
the insurance will cover the loss james
/ VI. Green has offered us the use OF hi
offices. at 1886 New York avenue. and W,
will begin work early tomorrow morning
At the present time we have about $50. 90
worth OF stock in the building. and wha
IS not destroyed by fire will be great.
damaged 10y water"
Mr.. Rudolph did not go inside the build
ing 10 make an inspection. but Fir
Marshal c. c. Nicholson, who made al
investigation. believes the loss will not b
as great as estimated by Mr.. Rudolph
The fire marshal said:
7 believe the damage 70 the buildin
10 be about $4,000. and the damage 20 tn
stock about $4,000 There is $4,000 in
! surance on the building and $4,000 on tn
I stock. II my estimate is correct. the los
win be fully covered by insurance"
{ The police estimate Of the loss coin
b cided with that made by the fire mar
shall II was estimated the building oc
I cupied by the National Electrical Sup
l ply Company was damaged about $50
The paint store Of Hugh Reilly wa
I damaged about $50
- The throng watching the blaze wer
= given a thrill when the fire had bee
: burning about an hour There was
mufiled roar, followed by sharp explo
sion and a cloud Of smoke, flame, an
sparks were hurled upward hundreds O
feet, producing beautiful spectacle
Fearing a serious explosion the throng
At