The Washington herald., 1922-02-02
GAS OVERCOMES
10 FIGHTING FIRE
In GEORGETOWN
Nine Firemen. Struggle
Half Hour With Blaze
From Basement Jet.

Nine hremen and one civilian
were overcome by gas while fight
ing a fire last night in the base
ment of the National Department
Store. 3125 NJ street northwest.
The fire originating from a leaky
gas meter. was discovered blazing
furiously shortly before seven
o'clock. Truck Company No. re-
sponded to the first alarm, but was
unable to cope with the blaze on
account of defective chemical ap-
paratus. A second alarm was an
swered by Engine Company No. 5.
In the meantime efforts to use the
large hose on the blaze proved un-
successful. owing to the inaccessi-
bility of the fire, access to which
could be gained only through the
basement, which was filled with
gas. Capt. w. G. Garner rushet
down the narrow passageway into
the basement and attempted to dis
connect the pipe leading to the
leaking meter. He was followed
by Sergt. s. NJ Gould, who discoV
cred the captain on tho basement
floor, overcome by gas.
Rescuer Overcome.
Lifting the body, Sergt. Gould
endeavored to make his way out
Of the basement. when he was over
come with his burden. The two
men were finally pulled out through
the efforts of Prfvates B. S. Follin,
L. L. Rollins and J. Jasinowski.
The arrival of Engine Company.
No. 5, furnished a supply of fresh
men which were needed as the first
company had succumber to the
fumes. Access to the fire, which
consisted principally in burning
gas was gained by hose men, who
extinguished The blaze. Stoppage
OF the gas flow was accomplished
only after five other firemen had
been overcome in the attempt. The
men were not equipped with gas
masks.
The fire involved not only the
lighting of almost inaccessible
flames but also the rescue of nine
o. the firemen, who had to be car
ried from the basement as they
were overcome.
List of the Victims.
The firemen who were overcome
by the gases were: Capt. w. J.
Garner, So years old, 1244 Thir-
teenth street southeast, to George
town Hospital
Capt. II. D. Burch, 42 years old.
916 Twenty-second street north
west. to the Emerency Hospital.
Sergt S. NJ. Gould, SS years old,
Clarendon. Va. revived before re-
movaI to hospital.
Sergt. r. G. Anderson, 40 years
~ l. northwegt tn thu
Hospital.
Private Martin Costello, "a years
cid. 2l34 Twenty-first street north
west to Georgetown Hospital.
Pvt. c. j. Hoy. 21s E street north
east. revived before removal to hos
pitaL
Pvt. B. F. Follin. "a years old.
332S Prospect avenue northwest, to
Georgetown Hospital.
Pvt. L. L. Rollins, 25 years old,
134e K street southeast, to the
Emergency Hospital. treated by
DR.. Joseph Lane.
Pvt. John Jasinowski, 26 years old.
sal q street northeast, to George
town Hospital
Besides the firemen. George Dix
on, 80 years old, of 1907 Olive ave-
nue.. an employe of the department
store. also was suffocated. He was
taken to the Georgetown Hospital.
All of the firehghters who were
taken to the hospitals were later
removed to their fire houses.
Although the blaze was uncon-
trehable for~more than thirty min
utes, 1t was not permitted to rage
above the basement and damage was
estimated at below $500.
The store was occupied by SaIlie
wolpoff and Brothers and owned by
Martin Roth, 42o II street north
east.
Three fres-s31 G street north
west, Havenner Baking Company
garage. AIS c street northwest. and
the residence of Thomas Condor.
l5o7h Fifteenth street northwest
caused damage to property of ap-
proximately $500. -.