The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-01-17
MYsTERIOUSFIRE
At WASHINGTON
BIG STORE HOUSES IN NATIONAL
~oRARRAcks BURNED.
SEVERAL HEAVY EXPLOSIONS
One Soldier Injured and Valuable
Property Destroyed Investlga-
tlcn Started by Secretary 6ak-
er.-WhoIe City Shaken.

Washington, Jan. 14.-Fire of mys-
FERROUS origin destroyed the Quarter.
masters Store House and Post Com
missaries at Washington Barracks here
today.
The buildings, it was stated contain.
ed few explosives. Immediately after
the fire broke out marines were
thrown around the grounds and admit
lance refused pending an investiga.
ton.
The fire surged through the build.
ings which contained munitions, foods
and general stores. Much of the struc-
lures was old. Huge columns of smoke
arose from thea burning building and
obsclmed the view from the southeast
part of the city.
Explosions of small arms from time
10 time rendered it a dangerous task
fighting the flames.
Explosion Shakes Whole City.
Sergeant While, Company B. en-
gineer, was injured when he jumped
llOl4 AAAE SIIIliO SUI "ihNO""
At ten o'clock there was a terrific
explosion which shook the whole city.
Shortly thereafter men were sent in.
to the building and removed part OF
the munition that was for rifles and
pistols. 1t was stated that there were
no other store houses near the burning
structure.
Secretary of War Baker informed
of the conflagration went immediate
ly to the scene personally TO start the
investigation of the cause.
Fourth of Series of Fires.
While the firemen and soldiers bat
tied with the flames in their faces
several explosions of ammunition from
time to time completely Quilted the
Quartermasters building.
This was the fourth of series of
fires which have broken out in this
building within the past ten days, and
the loss it was said may reach two
hundred thousand dollars in damage.
Secretary Baker who arrived about
ten O'Clock remained until after the
FIRE was gotten under control and the
flames extinguished about noon.
incendiarism is Suspected.
Thousands of dollars worth of rife
cartridges, belts, ammunition clothing
and commissaries supplies were
stored in the building Most of them
We're destroyed. Some of the stocks
were successfully removed.
When the blazes grew too hot for
the fremen they were ordered out of
the building but scores of them went
back into the building and when the
officers succeeded in getting them out
they were hurt or injured in some
way.
Soldiers who have been stationed
around the barracks for months believe
that the fire was incendiary.
Explosion Follows Discovery.
The first indications of blaze was
when smoke was seen to roll from the
roof of the building about nine o'clock.
The arsenal fire alarm was the first
sounded. At least three other alarms
were then turned for the city depart
ments.
Firty-fve minutes later several
mighty severe explosions were heard
which were declared to be some OF
the small arms of ammunition.
At 1O:05 there was a terrific explos-
ion which shook the whole vicinity. IL
was reported TO be large quantity OF
ammunition which had been stored in
bulk.
No Arrests As Yet
Although Lieutenant Colonel J. h.
Earle who was in charge OF the post
stated that no one was suspected OF
firing the structure the guards around
the building were doubled and no one
allowed to leave or enter.
No arrests have been made thus FAR.
Soldiers this afternoon however in
sisted that the flames must baye been
of incendiary origin.
The first flames were noted about
nine o'clock on the second floor where
there MAS ~ nIG AL lliV ALeNNNAN-N
kIndIing shavings. This had no sooner
been extinguished than another hre
broke out in an adjoining section.
Big Fire In indianapolis
indianapolis, Ind. Jan. l4.-flre
broke out in the industrial building
which housed thirty manufacturing
concerts, last night and DESTROYED the
building and adjoining property, caus'
ing a loss estimated at 100000.
fire Chief Loucks said he Delieyeo
mai the fire was of indendiary origin
several of the manufacturing compan
les were making machinery Tor tn'
government uLder war contracts.
Six dwellings. church. grocery an'
saloon also were burned. Falling walls
placed firemen in great danger ans
mndered them in their work by cut
ting lines Of hose.
Fire Hits Grand Rapids.
IL.