The Washington times., 1919-12-24
11SAVEDFRQM
BURNING FLAT
Firemen Rescue Men, Women,
and Children From Smoke
Filled Cameron Apis.

Trapped by clouds of smoke and
flames that threatened to destroy the
entire building eleven men, women
and children, occupants of the Cam
eron apartments. 1902 Vermont avenue
northwest, today were rescued by
members of the District Fire Depart
ment.
Shortly after nine o'clock. fire was
discovered in the basement of the
apartment. An alarm was turned in
at 9:16, and a second and third alarm
at 9:21. When firemen arrived the
blaze had gained such headway oc-
cupants of apartments on the third.
fourth and fifth floors were trapped.
The first rescue was made by Will
liam A. White and d. w. Neil. pri-
Yates of No. truck. They battled
through smoke to apartment 80, where
Mrs. Gabrielle b. Drake, colored, was
unable to escape because of q broken
leg, and carried her to the street.
Rescue Nine More.
Returning with Privates Gallagher
and Suit, of No. truck, and Sergt.
o. T. Leahy, of No. 6 truck, White and
Neil then entered all apartments on
the third, fourth and fifth floors, res
CUtnR mTs. a. <uouiid
Powell, Wade H Powell, Miss Marjorie
Smith, Mrs. Maude Hawkins and her
son and daughter, Lincoln and An
nette; Miss Dorothy Thomas. Mrs. r.
Thompson, and Mrs. Roy Beverly.
All are colored.
The five men were cheered by hum
dreds of spectators. Despite the
dense smoke through which they
fought their way none Of the heroic
firemen was overcome.
To the first alarm engine companies
T. 0, and IL and truck company 4, re-
sponded. The second and third alarms
brought Battalion Chiefs James kel-
liner and Timothy Donohue, with en-
gine companies /, IL, 2. 6, "a. and
truck companies and 2.
Fire Chief On Scene.
Fire Chief Frank J. Wagner was
called to the fire. He was at the
District Building when the third
alarm was turned in. The chief
reached the fire about $3.50.
Taking direct charge. Chief Wag-
ner, with his aide, o. r. Moxley, both
wearing smoke masks, made their
way to the third floor where they
directed the hose, succeeding in pre-
venting the fire from spreading -
the roof. A few minutes later the
fire above the. first floor also was
we'll under control.
Firemen were hampered by ras,
that filled the building, when pipe
broke in the basement. William F..
Mahaney succeeded in reaching the
meter and cutting Off the gas.
Origin Net Learned
BY 10 o'clock Chief Wagner report
ed the fire under control. This was
one of the quickest jobs the fire de-
partment has done this year. The en-
tire time in fighting the blaze con-
sumed only about forty minutes.
George e. Watson, fire marshal, es-
the damage at $4,000. The
origin of the fire has not been learn
ed. An investigation has been start
ed by the police.
The apartment was occupied by
eight families. Most OF the occupants
on the first and second floor reached
the street before the flremen arrived.
The Cameron Annex, just around
the corner. with eight families, was
not damaged.
Church Ii Destroyed.
Fire, which Is believed to have orig
mated in the basement of the Epworth
Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Seventh and A streets northeast, vir-
tually destroyed the edifice. late yes
terday afternoon. The damage is es-
umated at $4,000.
The blaze was discovered just after
5 o'clock. With the arrival Of the
first firemen the flames had reached
the roof and had gained such head
way a second alarm was sounded.
For nearly an hour the firemen bat
tied with the blaze before it was un-
der control. The Rev. John p. Tyler,
ns stor of the church. was told of the
fire soon after II had been discovered
and hurried to the sceneI
1t had been planned to hold a
party for the children or
the congregation and the children
from the Central Union Mission Home,
in the church this afternoon. The en-
tertainment will be held at the Cen
raj Union Mission Home.
Members of the congregation will
assemble at the church site at C
.'clock this evening, after which they
will march through the streets in the
aeighborhood singing Christmas
'arols. Christmas services will be
leld in the parsonage at o'clock.
DR.. Tyler recently returned from
France where he was chaplain in the
army.