The Washington herald., 1912-04-07
CARELESSNESS is
RESPONSIBLE FOR
MAJORITY FIRES
Chief Wagner Declares that
Ninety Per Cent Of Blazss
Are AyOidable.
YEARS RECORD SHOWN

1 ~ per cent OF aH OF the nreS
in the National Capital are avoidable.
This startling fact is revealed in sta
tisties which have been compiled by the
District fire department showing the
origin Of fires in the city during the
past fiscal year.
More than 30 per cent OF the biazes are
due TO carelessness and thoughtlessness.
| Frank j. Wagner. chief OF the fire de-
| partment, believes that practically all
fires are avoidabIe.
III proper precautions were taken.
| and persons were always careful and
| thoughtful," said the chief yesterday
| afternoon, there would be practically
| no fires. II IS the element OF careless
ness which Is responsible for a large
pereentage Of the fires IN the city. The
numberSpf fires could be greatly reduced
lif there were more rigid hre regulations
| with respect 10 the erection and fire pro-
lection OF buildings.
But II is a difficult proposition to
| educate the public along lines of careful
ness and thoughtfulness and adequate
fire protection. so that the dream of
the era of no fires is far distant. Fires
will continue to occur as long as hu-
man nature remains the same. Man is
prone to csrelessness, and thus do fires
originate. The problem OF the lire de-
partment is to eXtinguish the fires as
rapidly as possible. 1t is impossible for
the fire department &C. prevent fires. 1t is
the business of the department to cope
with them"
Matches Caused Many.
The careless disposal OF matches was
responsible during the past fiscal year
for 1H fires in the District. Four blazes
were caused by the dropping Of matches
on the floors OF buildings. The dropping of
matches in paper also caused four fires.
BIazes also resulted from the dropping
of matches in mattresses. bureau draw
ers. clothes closets. sideboard drawers.
wardrobes. bales OF paper. barrels of
straw, barrels OF trash. bedclothes.
baskets of, clothes. dry brush, dry goods,
dry leaves. and against lace curtains.
One hundred and two fires during the |
year Mere caused by sparks. In two |
cases sparks from matches ignited lace |
curtains. One woman was striking a
match 10 light the gas in her bedroom I
when a spark few OF and set fire to
her silk waist. In three cases sparks
from matches ignited bedcIornes. Fires |
were also started by sparks from chin
heys, forges. open CRATES, and locomotives
Cigarette Stumps Responsible.
Fifty-nine fires were caused by Gig |
arctic stumps being thrown on infiam- |
mable material -Four smokers threw |
ClRdIetteS IN waste paper, ana IOuT
runs were consequently made by the /
fire engines. Blazes also resulted |
from the throwing of stumps in ex-
celsior. in boxes of sawdust. on de-
cayed window sills, in shavings, In
haystacks. in trash. in boxes of rubbish.
in dumb-waiter shafts. and on awnings. |
One man went to bed with a cigarette
in his mouth. He intended to take
few puffs, shoot his stump out of the
urfn
dreamland amid a wreath of smoke.
He carried out only two-thirds OF the
programme. The first act was an en-
tire success. but the third act rushed
in prematurely. and the stump failed I
to shoot out of the window. The smok-
er began snoring. and the cigarette
rolled from his lips onto the bed
clothes. In about fifteen minutes the
slumberer awoke from a dream that he
was visiting the fires of Hades. The
landlady turned in an alarm. and in a
short time the firemen had stream
of water trained on the smoker and his
bedstead.
All these fires could have Seen avoid
ed II little thoughtfulness had been
exercised.
OIL lamps and stoves were the cause of
sixty-five fires during the year. Six per-
sons upset lamps with disastrous results. n
Nine lamps EMPLOYED. Eight fires re-
suited from overheated oil stoves. A
large percentage of these fires could have 4
been prevented had proper precautions
been taken. II is unquestionapIy a care
less act to upset lamp or stove, and I
II is likewise foolish TO permit a stove
or a lamp to become overheated.
Lightning Did Damage.
Three houses were set afire by light
ming It might he said that these
fires were unavsidable, but in the |
last analysis they could have been pre-
vented. II lightning rods had been
erected on the houses. the celestial fire. i
works would have passed by in peace.
tive fiues. All of these blazes could have
been prevented. for II Is the business Of
the thoughtful husbandman 10 see that
his hues are not defective. .
The fire engines we're called out on two
occasions TO extinguish a pan of burn
ing grease which was blazing on the
stove These fires were ayoidable. for
good cooks do not let their grease catch
On fire. Once during the year the en-
gines were called out to extinguish a
kitchen fire caused by the water from
4 pot OF meat boiling over on the stove.
This blaze was also preventable, for the
good housewife does not permit her pots
70 boil over.
So much for theory. II must be admit
ed that practically all fires are avoid
able. but the day when the public will
De educated 10 take the necessary pre-
,autions for the prevention OF fires Is far
n the future. Fires will continue TO
blaze. Chief Wagner is of the same opin-
on. and he Is eqaipping his force more
.Gr.<.t .NrI.r MIL Ara