The Washington times., 1913-12-29
INQUIRY ON ACCIDENT
At FIRE IS STARTED
Rigid Investigation Begun at In
stigaton of Siddons to
Place Blame.

A rigid inquiry into the circumstances
surrounding the trapping of five firemen
i'm the American Five and Ten-Cent
Store building. while the structure was
afiame last Wednesday morning was
started by District officials today.
Commissioner siddons, under whose
Jurisdiction are both the police and fire
departments, has ordered the inquiry to
went to their death in the furnace with
out anybody apparently knowing they
were there"
Il want to know why no ono knew
these men were in the burning building
for more than an hour and a half"
said Commissioner Siddons today, after
admitting he had ordered an inquiry
and report on the matter by Fire
Department officiala "Was 1t an ac-
ity on the part Of some one: That's
what I want to know"
Win Take Testimony.
Deputy Chief Sullivan presented his
report today, following that Of Chief
Wagner. Taking of testimony viii begin
as soon as the injured men can be
questioned. Private Frank Hellmuth,
the more seriously hurt of these men,
1t is said, will be able to answer the
questions put to him by the investiga-
tors today.
1t will probably rest on his testimony
as to whether the near-tragedy was the
result Of accident or wrong doing.
Hellmuth was in charge OF Engine
Company No. G. with which all the men
hurt in the fire are connected.
The entire Fire Department today IS
speculatins as to who gave the orders
sending Hellmuth and his company into
the burning building, and IL this official,
whether a deputy battalion chief or
some one else. after giving the orders,
forgot that the men were In the struc-
ture.
ordered into the building with his men.
He refuses to discuss the matter fur
ther.
when the proper time comes. will
tell who gave me m yorders," said He'll
muth today.
Officers Off Duty.
HeJImuth was in charge of Engine
Company No. because both officers
out ranking him were of duty. Lieu
tenant Newton was Ill on the day OF the
gre and Capt. William F. Lanahan was
,ff duty for the day. when he heard the
third alarm and then, according to the
orders calling all firemen of duty TO
answer to the third alarm, he made his
way to the confiagTa alton.
It was not until the arrival OF the cap
ain at the fire, il is said, that the dis
,overy that Hellrluth and his four COM
oanions were trapped in the burning
1liiding was made. Three floors of the |
,lazing structure had fallen in upon the |
place wher etne company's hose entered !
he building,
My God, MY men are buried in
here" Lsnahan is said to have eX-
:laimec to Chief Wagner
Start Clearing Debris. /
Not until then did the work of clear
ns away the debris to rescue the en- !
tombed men start.
That the firemen eventually escaped |
With their lives Is considered little I
short Of a miracle by those who were |
On the escene when they were finally |
aiken out of the building. Heavy |
zirders and tknbers had pinioned !
hem. Quantities OF plaster had fallen |
md cut off every avenue about them |
n such a manner that they found it
hard to breathe.
None of the firemen involved will |
ak about the matter, declaring that |
hey think it advisable to remain reti- |
,ent regarding the incident until the
natter blows over.