Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-01-02
NORFOLK FIRE LOSS
100000, | DEAD;
ZONE UNDER GUARD
Officials Doubt Incendiarism,
But BIuejackets and Marines
Watch Suspects.
THREE MORE BLAZES START
ACROSS RIVER AND BAY
Department of Justice Investigating
Twenty-Fi Suspects Caught in
Dragnet-Find German Papers.

Dragnet-Find German Papers.
NORFOLK, Va, January marines
and bluejackets stood guard today over
the downtown section of Norfolk, where
three separate fires yesterday wiped out
five of the city's largest buildings, en-
failing loss estimated at 100000.
Damage to the Monticello Hotel is
estimated at $75O,0oo. It is covered by
$500,000 in insurance.
Police Chief Kizer and Fire Chief Nc
Loughlin today were less inclined to
place blame for the fires on incendiar-
ism, although both declared the circum-
stances we're suspicious.
Military guards, however, were in no
way relaxed, and during the night all
persons who could not give an account
Of themselves were warned away from
the business section.
Investigating Arrested Suspects.
The Department Of Justice is today con-
ducting an examination of the twenty-five
the men were taken into custody this
morning. About twenty were turned over
to the department by Police Justice Pitt
without hearing. District Attorney Mann
is assisting Ralph Doughton, representa-
tive Of the Department Of Justice. in the
examinations.
Through the activities of the agents of
the Department of Justice, the police and
the Navy, twenty suspects were rounded
up yesterday and last night. Hugo Schmidt
and II. K Lessig were among the first to
be caught in the dragnet. Others are
w. j. A. Brosvoordt. arrested late last
night, and two women were detained in
the police headquarters.
Brosyoordt was guest at the Lorraine
Hotel and it is said made some disloyal
remarks yesterday morning while the
Monticello was burning. When his room
number 430 at the Lorraine was searched
letters. maps of Norfolk, book of the
memoirs of Germany, with picture of
the kaiser az the frontispiece. A locked
box and other matter were taken from
ties.
Obtain Hun Information.
WINE sothing has beer, given out ON
cially ~ to the nature Of the charges
AgAinst the men that ARE being held or
Whefher tho evidence against them indi-
Gates that they have had anything to do
with hres occurring here or other enemy
acts, 1t is understood that some very val
liable Information regarding other Ger
mans has been ascertained through some
Of them.
Two fires early today, one across the
Elizabeth river at Portsmouth and the
other across the bay near Camp Stuart,
broke out while the ruins of the two
blocks DESTROYED here were still smok-
ing. but neither resulted in extensive
damage. A few small houses were de-
stroyed in each case. and the fires were
thought to have been accidental
The hre-swept area is bounded by
cello and City Hall avenues, on the east
side Of CRANKY street: and on the west
side. from Brooke avenue to Tazeweil
street, extending back about $50 feet
Naval Y. NJ C. A. and number Of other
large structures. On the west side of
CRANKY street the Lepox, Carpenter and
Tazewen buildings. all six stories high,
Were completely destroyed or practi-
cally wrecked. On the east side of the
street the Monticello Hotel and the Old
CRANKY Theater buildings were swept
away. The Dickson building and the
big commercial structure between the
CRANKY Theater building and the hotel
. these are practically freproof
Revised lists Of the casualties from
the FIRE which engaged the attention
of Norfolk. Portsmouth and Suffolk
night showed that Charles Mccoy, a
fireman. was the only person known to
have lost his life. Four firemen were
seriously hurt and score Of others
were less seriously injured
Firemen said 1t was possible that
removal Of debris would show other
deaths from falling walls.
Started at Daybreak.
From the time the first fire broke
| out at daybreak yesterday in the old
| CRANKY Theater until flames appeared
! in the Monticello Hotel and later in
1.-The Ienox building, hremen were ham
pered by the bitter cold. Sailors and
marines were quickly called out and
| Joined heartily in the work of rescue
and firefighting.
! Reports began coming in that bombs
were causing the fire to spread and
/ that persons had been seen setting
buildings afire. and. while no confirma-
ition of these reports developed, they
lied to extra precautions being taken,
and large part Of the business dis
trict was surrounded by a Gordon OF
marines and sailors
| An explosion occurred during the fire
| AT the CRANKY Theater. but reports o1
armed. Authorities were inclined tt
| believe that the explosion in the
| theater may have been caused bJ
escaping gas.
Places Of Assembly Closed.
i The arrests OF suspects were followed
bv the closing last night Of theaters
+ poolrooms and all downtown place!
where persons might gather. 1t ais,
was said all members of the nava
forces here who had been away OF
furloughs had been ordered to return
Immediately to aid in maintaining
! Guard over the fire zone.
Temporary quarters for guests at tn,
Monticello Hotel were established a
the armory during the night, and fire
men and guards were served coffee an,
| rolls from there.
/ City Under Martial Law.
Il The city is under martial law an,
permits are required from everybod,
who passes the barred zone A regi
| meut of sailors and several companie
| Of marines, with the two battalions o
Home Guard, are still on duty.
The Monticello was a MAJ So of ice thi
morning, while sleet covered the troll
lev and the fire apparatus that was a
work there last night.
Il A heavy snow is falling today ant
strangers coming into the city are be
! ing cared for by private families. wh.
have thrown open their homes to them
It was stated by the officials of tn
Monticello Realty Company that tn
hotel would be rebuilt as quickly a
possible.