Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-07-05

the scene. The chief and assistan
chiefs showed their good judgment il
at once directing the men from allow
ling the flames to spread.
! Several Of the firemen narrowly
missed being seriously injured wher
/ the front wall Of the building occupied
Iby Ortega collapsed. The heavy bricl
/ wall sounded no danger signal wher
lit fell in. Several of the men were
within several feet when the wal
started TO fall and, warned by the
spectators Of their danger, succeeded
in jumping back and clear of the fall
ing bricks.
A good move was made by the
chiefs when they directed that the
front part Of Lopez and sena's store
be torn down. A large iron hook at
attached to chain was secured in
the brick near the top OF the store
front. Twenty or thirty men pulled
/ with all their strength. The chain
broke several times and this neces.
STATED one or two of the men plae-
ling their lives in danger as they were
compelled to go within two feet of the
burning furnace in order TO repair the
chain. When the chain was repaired
the men started pulling again. With
roar and crash the wall gave way
and fell frontwards into the street.
No one was burned when the wall
fell.
The firemen were forced to break
open the rear door of Papen's store
with axes. The door was large
wooden one and was substantially con
structed. Several minutes were con-
sumed before the door was finally
broken down. A stream Of water was
taken into the building through the
rear door It was passed through the
crowd Of several hundred people that
the fire was finally under control
Many people started cheering at this
good news. However, the wind ap-
peared to come up a little and the
flames, famed by the breeze, took
new life and the fire appeared to be
spreading again. At this time it look
ed as if the entire block was in dan
ger Of being completely DESTROYED
Again the firemen doubled their ef-
forts and with the assistance of many
from the crowd who volunteered their
services the flames were again fought
back.
| shortly after the arrival Of the fire.
men it looked as If the whole block
would be consumed within short
time. People voiced their opinion
that the firemen could do nothing to-
ward checking the flames Volunteers
rushed into Clay and Giyens' barn
and buggies, wagons and horses were
rushed out in record breaking time
Much trouble was experienced in get
ting the horses to safety as the amin
ais smelled the smoke and it was
with much trouble that they we're fin
ally brought from the building.
The fire chiefs and their assistants
deserve much praise for the way in
which they directed the men who were
placed under their charge They were
here, there and everywhere calling or
ders to the fire fighters. They an
nounced at 2:S 0o'clock, when the
flames appeared to be as serious as
they were an hour before, that the
fire was under control and that they
would not spread to any Of the other
adjoining buildings AS they said, the
flames were gradually checked and the
dangerous period passed.
THE men are working hard and
WE'LL" said one Of the chiefs, as he
pointed to a number of the firemen
and motioned to them to turn the hose
! in another direction where the flames
could be fought at a better advantage,
"and deserve credit for the way they
are fighting the fire, However, some
OF the spectators are not showing
much potriatism to the city 4 short
time ago we asked several to assist
us in moving a horse. Only one Of
two responded. They should be only
too glad to assistin any way they can
especially at such a serious fire a'
this.
The firemen remained at the scene
until after 5 o'clock this morning The
4 FIRE was then completely out. Many
Of the hremen were forced to leave
/ the scene and 90 to their regular
work. Others who could arrange i
4 went to their homes and slumbereS
4 a deserving rest.