Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-30
FIRE HOSE DEFECTS
/ MAY LEAD TO JAIL
Civ Will Prosecute Those Re-
sponsibIe for Bursting at
American ST. Blaze
WHOLE BLOCK MENACED

II hose which burst at the 81 900, 900
Are on South American street yesterday
n,os defective, those responsible face
arrest and prosecution if the city has
legal redress.
Director Cortelyou, of the Depart
mont of Public Safety. announced this
TODAY in connection with q statement
that a special commission is invesu-
eating the burst hose.
'The history. OF the hose Is
boinp carefully checked up" he said,
''This includes a checking up, of the
time when bought. the specifications
Cor the purchase, the result of the test
at that time and finding from whom 1t
was purchased.
"Anothcr test of the strength of the
hose is now being made. IL we find
that the hose is not up to specification
and that the city has legal redress,
prosecutions will be started
Deputy Chief Davis. of the bureau
of fire, haa been designated by
Director Cortelyou to conduct the probe
He is expected to make his report to-
morrow. Deputy Chief Davis is act
ing as chief during the vacation of Chief
Murphy.
In addition to the special investiga-
tion, q commission named by the Mayor
Is examining the fire equipment, in
cluding the hose. Of every fire company
in the cAy. Assistant Director Ellis
heads the commission.
Play Water on Ruins
The special investigation committee
named by Director Cortelyou last Sat
urday to Inspect the citys fire appara :
tus. after. ladder broke at Chest.
nut street fire, killing two firemen, will
make the hose inspection.
All those injured yesterday have been
discharged from the hospitals. Their
burns we're painful but not serious.
Firemen of Engine Co. No. % played
streams of water on the ruins through
out the night and until late this morn
ing. A number of employees of the firms
whose places were destroyed went to
the scene this morning and fingered
about the ruins for some time.
The fire started in the factory of the
Philadelphia Blanket Co. on the Sec
ond floor of the six story warehouse and
factory building of A. Pomerantz &
Co.. 266 South American street. Six
alarms were sounded.
blOch lHTeateneu
The blaze was one Of the biggest il
the city for several years, and for Q
time threatened to destroy the entir,
block bounded by Spruce, Locust, Thirt
and American streets and neighborinf
properties.
Two girls Jumped from the secont
floor of the Pomerantz Building into
blankets held by fircmen Oh the stree
below. Scores of others were ed tt
safety by firemen and foremen.
Walls fell and floors collapsed. max
ing the task of the fircmen doubly peril
Gus. For a time it seemed that tn,
bursting hose would prevent the fire.
men from mastering the blaze.
Harry Piper, battalion chief, sta
toned at Engine Company No. %, ,
member of the investigating committee
said today that the hose burst because
of the high pressure. Other members
Of the committee are members of tn
fire bureau also. Al,o are experts.
Firms That Suffered
The firms that suffered from yester
DAYS fire are:
Philadelphia Blanket Co., first thre,
floors of six story warehouse at 266- Il
South American street.
A. Pomerantz & Co.. three upper
floors of 266-70 South American street
Hofstetter Bros, blankbook manu-
facturers, 24753 South American
street.
Rossell Bros. & Co., chair manufac
turers, 255-57 South Third street.
Seltzcr Bros. manufacturers of un.
derskirts, occupying major part of six
story, buildings at 247 1851 Soutt
Third street.
Congress Cigar Co., third floor o.
247 .49-51 South Third street.
Lockwood Folding Box Co., %;
South Third street.
Sylvester Garrett Co., paper and
twine, 250 South Third street.
Lawrence Publishing Co.. publisher,
Of the Pennsylvania Farmer, 261 Soutl