Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-23
POLICE AND FIREMEN DARE
NOT APPROACH CLOSELY
Flames Kept From Spreading After
Building Is Destroyed.
DUNNITE BURNS LIKE PITCH
Admiral Twining Directs That Resi-
dents in the Vicinity of Gies-
boro Point Be Warned
to Leave.

plosives OF the Navy Department at Gies-
ooro point p. G, early this morning.
caused hundreds OF residents Of the vicIn-
ity TO flee panic-stricken for safety and
endangered many thousands of dollars
worth of property.
Scores OF families living in the neigh
borhood of the magazin were awakened
by employees of the place and warned to
leave their homes. Men. women and chill
dren mostly colored. fled in consterna-
tion from their homes and sought refuge
on the hills of Congress Heights, where
they remained for nearly six hours, until
assured by the police that all danger had
Passed
Owing to the nature of the high explo-
s.ves. including 'dunnite. stored in
ne building. Supt. William J. Fay of
the amshouse at Blue Plains when
notified of the possibility of an ex-
plosion, ordered all the helpless inmates
Of the institution conveyed to the lawn
and warned all others of the danger i'm
pending Although much alarmed, order
after assurances had been received that
the flames were under control the in
mates returned to their quarters.
That there was no explosion is ex-
planned by the circumstance that the
"dunnite" fortunately was not inclosed
IN shells. but was packed in wooden
boxes. and hence burned vigorously but
quietly like pitch
origin of he fire ha not haen do
;ermined. but it is believed one of the
wax corks in a bottle containing a pow
erfuI explosive became heated and melt
ed The explosive caught fire and within
q short time the entire building was
ablaze.
Police and Firemen Summoned
II was shortly before ; o'clock this
morning when Chief Gunner Thomas ].
Hurd of the navy. who is in charge of
the magazine discovered the flames He
notified other employees about the place
and also telephoned to the eleventh pre-
cinct police station and to No. chemical
engine company. The fireboat Firefghter
also was called
Chief Gunner Hurd and Charles Hayes.
also employed at the magazine. went to
the homes of residents in the vicinity and
warned them Of their danger.
Hardly waiting 10 don their clothing
the people left their homes and watched
me fire from great distance. When
the fire engine company and the police of
the eleventh precinct arrived al the scene
they were warned not to approach the
building as it was not known when an
explosion might occur The freboat Fire
fighter did not approach the wharf OF the
ura-aZlue.
Il was stated about 3oO pounds Of the
explosive &unrdte. in liquid form. were
stored in the building
Shortly after the first bottle caught fire
the corks in other bottles melted, their
contents adding intensity 10 the flames.
Not daring 70 approach the place the en-
ployes fremen and police stood at a dis
tance and watched the flames destroy
about 81 4p worth of explosives and
cause about sGo damage 10 the building
which was of brick, one story high
Flames Kept From Spreading.
After II was seen that all of the ex-
plosive in the building was burned and
the structure itself destroyed. the fire
engine company and the Firehghter
threw streams Of water about the place
70 keep the flames from spreading to
other buildings I'm the vicinity. The fire.
men worked until nearly noon before all
the embers were extinguished
Many of the families residing in the
neighborhood, who had left their homes.
went TO the homes OF relatives and
friends and would not return even
when assured by the police OF the
eleventh precinct there was no danger
They declared they would take nc
ccances and il was not until this
afternoon that members OF all the fam
lies had returned 10 their homes
In a number of instances fathers and
older brothers who were awakened nv
the employees OF the magizine early this
morning remained away from their
rlaces Of employment during the day be-
ause Of the nervous condition of the
women IN their families.
Action of Admiral Twining.
Rear Admiral Twining. chief of ordi-
nance OF the Navy Department. was early
notified OF The ire and il was by his in
,tructions that persons living in the VI
unity were notified 70 leave
Admiral Twining said that the BELLEVUE
magazine not an important station
4 was attached To the Washington navy
ward and was used principaliy for the
stores or high explosives designed for
experimental purposes These were
mainly in the form OF rockets and
primers, although in addition there was
a quantity OF "dunnite'' on hand There
was comparatively small amount ol
powder at Bellevue. the naval proving
station at Indian Head being the main
factory and depot for powder in TINS
vicinity.
Admiral Twining said that he had not
vet received any details in regard 10 IN.
hYt inf
that the building where il origina ed
had been destroyed, together with al
is contents: that the fire had not ex-
tended TO any Of the other buildings
and that there had been no loss of life
or injury 10 any one. Chief Gunner
Hurd, who Is I'm charge OF the magazine
will make an official report of the oc
currence.