The Washington herald., 1917-05-22
Third Fire Breaks Out.

Third Fire Breaks Out.
The third alarm came in that a fire
was raging in the block bounded by De
catur. Fort. and HIlliard streets and
EdgewoOd avenue. It was impossible for
the firemen in the other sections TO reach
the third fire in time TO prevent its
spreading.
Aid was summoned from other cities.
In special trains and in fast automobiles
hremen from nearby cities came 10 help
the Atlanta fire-hghters. The flames
shooting skyward and catching on near
by buildings, began TO get away from
the lremen. On Edgewood avenue they
jumped across the street 10 the sUn-dried
roofs OF cottages Every shinEle that
caught a spark burst into flames. The
fire spread northward and eastward, aid
ed by a high wind
The fremen were also hampered by an
odd trick Of fate. The flames Ieaped over
The houses on the edge OF blocks and
caught houses in the middle. This made
the iremen's work most difficult and
helped the spread OF the flames Reach
ing north. the flames swept on HtIliard
and Houston streets. licking their wsy
through more negro dwellings toward the
neighborhood where more substantial
residences stood.
\ path two blocks wide was cut across
Auburn avenue. and onward IL swept.
travelling rapidly toward Irwin street
Starts Near shoe Factory.
The fire started near the J. X. Orr shoe
factory. The windows and doors Of this
great plant were quickly shuttered. and
the building presented a freprOof bulk TO
the flames.
In the west end fire three homes we're
destroyed. three badly damaged. and sew
ersl others marred by the flames.
houses were destroyed. and twenty-five
others caught but were saved by the des-
perate efforts OF the fremen.
The Edgewood avenue fire spread from
it ~'--t'-- point eastward and north
~ard. burning like cardboard the nimsy
cottages OF negro residents in that quar-
ter. Streets were filled with frantic.
screaming residents. Household goods
were scattered.
Mayor Gambler led a force OF citizens
to the scene. helping the homeless people
save what they could OF their household
effects Automobiles, including the may
or.s, were commandeered TO carry on the
rescue work.
The conhagration started in an old
frame building formerly used as a con-
taE7ous hospital. but later used as the
City.s warehouse for wooden sewer mod
els. II was quickly destroyed. In the
center OF the block the flames spread TO
surrounding houses. They, too. were
quickly doomed.
Telephone Wires Down.
Reports OF alarming fires came from
various sections 10 fire headquarters.
They all proved false
Telephone wires are out OF commission
Street car traffic is paralyzed. The cleo
trio light wires are being cut for safety.
The work OF relief is going on rapidly.
Red Cross chapters and the charitable
organizations are already AT work re-
lieving the homeless. Shelter is being
provided for them tonight. The great
auditorium and other places are being
filled with cots
One unconfrmed report as TO the origin
Of the blaze is that two boys set FIRE 10
a vacant two-story frame building at
Irwin and Fort streets. A policeman saw
youths run out Of the building. and
little later the structure was ahamc. The
boys escaped.
All Atlanta's industries and those OF
surrounding towns quickly responded 20
the calls for aid Supt. Smith, OF the
water works, had all the pumps working
to furnish the needed water TO throw on
the fire. Automobile houses sent trucks
by the score and drivers with them 10
aid in removing household goods and the
debris that were piled in the chokcd
streets-KirkwOod sent its hose which
the Atlanta nremen connected with their
own, thus drawing water from both At
lanta and Kirkwood
Children Reported Burned.
One report. unconhrmed. said that six
negro children were burned to death in
Fort street.
While endeavoring 10 do her bit" lit
tie n-year-Old Nelson Vaughan was IN
jUred and had 10 be taken to the Grady
Hospital fer treatment. The little girl
with her mother, was rushing from her
home, the mother carrying a baby. and
Nelson carrying a grip and several pack
ages. She fell and injured her back The
mother tainted. The baby was unhurt
Howard Herbert, manager OF the Regent
Theater. and G. Maddox, engineer OF fire
company No. II. were taken 20 the hos
pital overcome by smoke and heat
c. Murphy was taken TO an infrmarJ
with a broken leg.