Evening star., 1909-03-15
MEN FLEE IN FLAMES
At Washington Gas Light Com
pany's Plant.
LOSS PLACED AT $4,000
Shock Was Felt for Many Blocks
Distant.
NARROW ESCAPES FROM DEATH
Falling Brick Strikes Against Gen.
orator Cap, Causing Vapor
to Come Out.
LOSS PLACED AT $4,000
NARROW ESCAPES FROM DEATH


a platform high above the main building
of the Washington Gas Light Company 5
plant at 26th and G streets. fell against
the cap of a generator about o'clock
this morning. breaking the pin and caus-
ing the escape of gas. The vapor was
ignited by torch that was being used by
workmen in pit and a terrific explosion
followed that could be heard for many
squares away. and caused shock that
was felt as far distant as Chevy Chase.
The following received poinful injuries:
Edward Anderson. foreman, 502 23d
street. burns about face and neck and lac
erationS of hands.
Peter Kelly, $50 26th street. neck and
shoulders burned and hands cut.
John Venable, colored, 2429 F street.
burned about head. face, neck and hands.
Frank G. Burnhard. a member of No.
3 truck company, was run over by No !
hose carriage at 18th street and Penn
sylvania avenue and his right leg was in
jured.
All the victims were removed to the
Emergency Hospital and physicians say
they will recover It is estimated that
the damage to the plant of the company
will be about $4,000. The explosions
and fire will not interfere with the gas
supply, although considerable gas was
burned before the flow from one of the
big storage tanks just south of G street
could be cut off.
The explosion occurred on what is
known.as the oil floor of the water-gas
plant. but the damage done, it is stated,
can soon be repaired. number of win
dows were blown out on the east and west
sides of the building and some damage
was caused to the roof.
When persons living and employed in
the vicinity CT the gas plant heard tie
explosion. which was followed by the
crashing of glass and falling of a small
section of the roof. they left their homes
and places of employment and hurried to
the gas works 1t was feared that many
of the $50 men employed there had been
killed and it was not until after the
tiremen had made successful fight
against the blaze that their fears were
dispelled.
Thrilling Escape of the Men.
The men at work rushed toward exits,
fearing there might be second and more
serious explosion which would wreck the
big structure and probably cause loss of
life
Anderson. Kelly and Nenable made
what is considered a wonderfully narrow
escape from death. They were working
in pit only a few feet away from
where the explosion occurred, and in order
TO get TO the street two of them had to
jump from a window to the sidewalk on
the q street side of the building. Shortly
after they had jumped there was d sec
ond explosion. This second explosion fol-
lowed the turning off of the gas. and no
damage was caused by il.
Venable looked like a blazing torch
when he appeared at the window and
jumped 10 the pavement His clothes
We're in flames. He started eastward
and was running from the building as
rapidly possible when Charles Hume.
who had been attracted from the office of
the company, SAW him and Went in pur-
suit OF him. He caught Nenable before
ne had gone far. and beat out the blaze
with his coat and hands sustaining ia in
ful burns to his hands. Anderson came
behind Nenable and was also assisted
until the arrival OF the ambulance Pete
Kelly went toward the river. When he
reached the entrance TO the wood and
coal yard Of j. MaurN Dove Company.
Hampton Smith foreman of the yard.
threw him down in The dirt and water
and put out the blaze. \ coating of
linseed oil was afterward applied. which
lessened kellys suferings and made him
fairly comfortable until he could he re-
moved To the hospital III the ambulance
No time was lost in Ceiling the three
men TO the hospital telephone mes
sage having been sent for ambulances
and patrol wagons before the alarm Of
fire was sounded. The driver of the am
bulance kept lis horse OH the run ali
the way from the hospital and back To
the hospital.
Response of the Firemen.
Battalion Chief Henry of the fire depart
ment responded to the first alarm, and
" hen II was seen that the big plant was
in danger OF being destroyed a second
alarm was sent in. calling out additional
fire companies and police reserves from
several precincts. Chief Wagner and
| S,Illi
to respond to the second alarm and when
| they reached the gas plant the gas was
still burning. 1t was some time before
| the employees of the company could re-
| turn to the building and cut Of the flow
| of gas. and while this was being at
| tempted firemen had line OF hose pour
! ing water on the connection at the gas
omete" south Of q street.
When chief Wagner and his deputy
| saw the blaze coming through the roof
and window OF the big structure they
| feared they would be bile To save the
building and machinery. II was also
feared another explosion wogld follow and
tiremen were cautioned against unneces-
sarily exposing themselves. After the
tiow Of gas was off there was no longer
any danger of a serious explosion. Care
was also taken to cut off the supply OF
| oil from the tanks on the river front.
/ Members of the fire department re-
ma:uei about the gas works only about
! of all outbreak when they left
James McIlhenny. chief engineer at the
plant was upon the scene soon after the
I first explosion occurred and explained the
| conditions to members of the fire depart
ment The damage 10 tie building and
! machinery. he stated. secondary
| cons slderation. the frs thought Of tire
| company being for the safety Of its EN-
pioyes and trea ment of the injured men.
/ The damage he said. would be repa red
| in snort while and tie plant would be in
| full operation again.
Clearing UP.
| Shortly after the firemen lef, the build
| Ing Mr.. Hcllhenny had a force of men
at work sweeping the water from the
| building and putting things in readiness
to repair the damaged pipes. in order
| tfat there might be but little delay in the
! force returning to work.
| The sounding Of the alarm brought en-
! ploSes of the Washington Gas Light Com
| pany from all sections of the city. MANY
| members OF the night force had reached
| their homes in the vicinity of the plant
| some having retired and ol hers about tc