The Washington herald., 1916-04-19
Flames MENACE
virginia TOWNS
Lorton and Accotink Threat
ened by Raging Forest Fire.
Four Homes Burned.
WOMEN PANIC STRICKEN
Big Force Fights Fiercest Blaze Ever
Experienced in Fairfax County.
Loss Amounts to Thousands.
TIE HERALD BUREAU.
R. z Knight & SEA.

e1s3 King Street.
Alexandria, Va. April fs.-Four
homes and probably more were de-
stroyed and damage done to the extent
OF many thousands OF dollars as the
result OF forest fire which today
swept over an area of nearly eight
miles, starting at Springfield station.
eight miles southwest Of Alexandria,
in Fairfax county.
At late hour tonight the fre was
stil raging, threatening the little viii
lage OF Lorton. A hundred male resi-
dents of Lorton and Accotink. together
with employees Of the Richmond. Fred
ericksburgE & Potomac and Southern
Railways, are using their best efforts
to prevent a spread of the FIRE to Lor-
ton. Before midnight the fire was un-
der control.
Among the homes destroyed are
those of F. P. GiIlingham. together
with his barn and several cows; Mrs.
Marion g. Brown, Frederick Davis,
store and dwelling. and William Tyler.
Most Of the foregoing houses are in the
vicinity Of Accocink station The resi-
dents of Lorton and Accotink station
were compelled to fee from the viii
lagos, owing to the smoke and heat
from the fire and 1t was impossible to
get closer than four city blocks to the
nre, owing to the smoke.
Practically all Of the men in the
surrounding country went to work
to give what assistance they could in
lighting the fire. Trenches were dug
and there was backfiring This, how
ever apparently accomplished but lit
tie good, although it checked the fire
from going in direct route and in
many instances a number OF houses
were saved as a result of the work.
The high northwest winds which
famed the flames caused them to Jump
in leaps and bounds, working over a
zig-Eag course.
Many women in the neighborhood.
panic-stricken, were conveyed in su-
tomobiles from the scene of the FIRE to
the surrounding villages.
1t was IL o'clock this morning when
the fire started at Springfield station
on the Southern Railway. 1t is
thought by some of the residents of
Springfield that sparks from a passing
railway locomotive was responsible for
the FIRE.
The forests in that section went
down with rapidity in the path of the
flames, which burned from the South
ern Railway tracks to the tracks Of
the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Po-
tomac Railroad. AS a result of the
zig-zag course of the fire there were
many dwelling houses in its path
which escaped destruction
The work Of the railway employees.
together with the men of the sur
rounding country, resulted in the
checking of the flames at times and
the saving of many homes in the path
Of the fire.
The fire was one of the worst in
Fairfax County in many years. Most
Of the people of the little village of
Accotink. Accotink station and Lorton
were panic-stricken as a result of the
fire. There are about eighteen houses
at Lorton, which is two and one-half
miles from Accotink, and about sevent-
ty-hye houses at Accotink village,
which is mile and a half from Acco-
tink station.
The chamber Of commerce, through
J. T. Preston, secretary of that organ
iation. has written letters to State Sem
ator r. Eweu Thornton, Of Fairfax, and
State Delegate ]. Fred BirreI, this city,
expressing the thanks of that organiza-
ton for the efficient manner in which
they handled matters Of Importance to
this city that came before the legisla-
ture at its last session, and expressing
appreciation for the kindness and court
estes extended its members and repre-
sentatives.
Fire at o'clock yesterday afternoon
destroyed the residence Of j. W. Nero,
Herbert Springs, Fairfax County, four
miles south Of Alexandria, on the cleo
trio line. A part Of the contents was
saved. A spark from the chimney that
caught on the roof caused the blaze, II
Is thought. The loss will be about $4,000
partially covered by insurance.
The wtll Of the late ]. Marriott Hill
was admitted to probate today In the
Circuit Court for this city IN vacation.
Testator leaves his estate to his sister