Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-18
PEOPLE FLEE FLAMES
IN THEIR NIGHT GARb
Woman and Child Rescued From
Burning Building Early
This Morning.
Fire in Experiment Station of q. S.
Signal Corps on Pennsyl-
vania Avenue.

Fire which frightened many families in
the neighborhood and caused them to flee
to the street in scanty attire, and fur
nished the opportunity. for a thrilling res
cue of woman and child by a policeman,
broke out early this morning in the ex-
pertinent station of the Army Signal
Corps at 17nS-1O Pennsylvania avenue
northwest. The blaze caused loss es-
timated at $500. and damaged the rec
ords and instruments oil the experiment
station
A woman and child living on the third
floor Of 1908 Pennsylvania avenue were
rescued by Policeman W. T. Gaffney of
the third precinct. The mother awoke
from sleep to find the room full of smoke
Barely able to breathe, she made her way
to the window, succeeded in raising 1t
and called for assistance. Policeman
Gaffney fought his way through the
smoke up the two fights of stairs, broke
in the room and brought out woman and
child.
Smoke Penetrates Nearby Homes.
When the firemen turned the hose on
the blaze the resulting smoke was dense
and in great volume. penetrating through
the walls and windows into the adjoining
houses on both sides Of the experiment
shop. A dozen persons were aroused
from sleep and driven into the streets.
Members of the family Of George H.
Demonet proprietor Of the restaurant at
1712 Pennsylvania avenue, who live in
the upper rooms of the restaurant build
ing. were among those who sought safety
in the street.
Corps of the army occupies both floors
of the two-story building, which is rent
ed by the government from the owner.
Arson Mills. The fire started in a corner
of room in the rear, which was set
aside for carpentering shop. While the
fire was practically confined to this room,
water and smoke played havoc with
everything Manageable in the building.
Waterman Summons Firemen.
The Waterman, an italian. discovered
the fire. shortly after l o'clock this
morning. He Immediately rushed up
stairs and by telephone notified the
fire department This. according to his
statement, was at 1:15 o'clock. and he
was partly corroborated by a passer-
by on the street. who saw the watch
man rush from the building, inme-
diately afterward and cry fire.
policeman turned in an alarm, which
fire headquarters states was received
at 1928 o'clock.
The fire apparatus responding to the
telephone call. declares Fire Marshal
Nicholson. was leaving the fire house
when the alarm sounded. There was
delay, he says, and he added that
the fire department is never dilatory.
Fire Marshal Nicholson made an eX-
animation of the damaged building and
contents and discussed the fire with
Capt Dickman, president Of the board
Of inquiry appointed to make an in
vestigation. The fire marshal placed the
damage to the records and apparatus
at 5000. The damage to the building, he
stated. amounted to $3.50. He said he
thought the fire was caused by sparks
from smoking material.
Shop Housed Wireless Apparatus.
Almost all the experiment work Of
the Signal Corps of the army is con-
Quoted in the Pennsylvania avenue
shop, under the direction Of Capt.
Charles S. Wallace Of the Signal Corps.
The most important part of the work
recently has been the assembling and
putting together of the parts Of wire
of the Signal Corps.
In the building are valuable tools, ma
cfinery and a stock various in character,
besides the records. Water and smoke
everything stored there. although there
is a probability that the loss will not be
as great as first supposed.
The work of the shop will be delayed,
but not seriously. The upper floor can
be put in condition. with repairs to the
windows and a cleaning up, within a
couple of days. Ten days or two weeks
would be required to get the first floor in
shape.
Several Small Fires.
An overheated gas stove yesterday
afternoon set fire to a tablecloth In the
home Of Mrs Annie Bowling, 207is 18th
street southwest. The fire was extin-
guished before the arrival of the fire de-
partment and before more than S. dam
age had been done.
Smoke from pile of burning rubbish in
the yard of house 1915 18th street north
west yesterday afternoon caused fire
scare. Firemen quickly eXtinguished the
blaze.
Engine company No. yesterday after
noon went to 1926 18th street northwest
and found a pile of tar paper burning.
The fire did no damage.
Fire in the chimney of the house of
Mrs Mary O'Dea, 2436 X street north
west, yesterday afternoon caused $50
damage.