Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-01
! FIVE FlREMEN WERE
INJURED WHEN WALL
FELL ON THEM TO-DAY
coltinusd from raEa 1

(OLtluucO iIotlt bAko
the pilo Of bricks. Tho only portion
of his body visible was one OF his
hands which remained exposed. Chief
I.utx was Knocked down and partly
covered by tho bricks. Lieutenant
Byrne was hurled up against the slde
wall and this probably Is tho only
Thing that saved him from fatal In
tlrles for he was close to Papa at
tho time. Chadwick and Carroll were
partly buried under tho mass In the
narrow space between tho two houses.
In an instant the other f,remen on
tho scene were ut work OF rescue.
They paid no attention TO the sway
ing portion OF the wall that remained
standing but with bare hands they
tore at tho piles Of bricks until they
had released their imprisoned COM
rados. All were taken out within n
short time after the wall fell hut II
was several minutes before Papa
could be reached. lie was stu con-
sclous when removed. lie was placed
In the police ambulance and at once
rushed To tho hospital. He realized
his serious condition and Father NJ
r. Ryan. assistant priest nj tho
Cathedral, was summoned and he sd.
n.inlstcred TO the injured man the last
rites of tho Catholic church.
This morning an N-ray photograph
OF Pappa's back was taken and when
developed plaihly showed tho broken
vertebrac. II was decided 10 operate
In last desperate chance to save the
mans life. The directors OF the De-
partment Of Public Safety were great
ly erievod when they learned OF tho
accident and especially the seriousness,
OF pappa's injuries. They gave orders
that he be placed In n private ware
and that no expense be spared IN tn,
efforts being made 60 save hln life.
Aid 10 the Chief.
| papp, I. aid 60 tho chief engineer
| OF the FIRE department. On March u
he would have completed his ri'
months probationary period IN th'
new department. He IL q years old
single and lives Rt 30b East Sistl
street. Prior % becoming fireman
he and HIS brother were I'm the tnxical
business, operating under the nam
Of the Rack and White Co. He ha
/
Lutz to the last fire under the oil
volunteer system and also OF havlnl
driven him TO tho first fire under tn
new paid department For a long tim
he was assistant instructor Mt IN
hremen's training school and was re
lpardod rs a competent man.
Chief Lutz and Fireman Caro-
were both cent To tho Delaware Hos
pital I'm the automobile OF Deput
Chief Donohue, They had their in
juries dressed there and both then in
sisted on going nome. Chief Lutz ha
10 take to his bed and his physical
thls morning said he would have {
remain there for some time. Chi,
I.utz was. much depre ssed when Il
learned Of pappa'a serious condition
Carroll was reported this morning q
out OF danger. Lieutenant Byrnc an
Chadwick were said 20 be sufferin
from many bruises. but they expect ,
be on duty within short time. Tt
accident is the worst the city flremc
| either under the volunteer or the ne
paid system have sustained for man
years.
The fire is thought 10 have startr
I'm back room on tho third foo
The house was unoccupied and q
cause Is yet mystery. but is beir
| investigated as is also the constru,
tion and the cause OF the collapse
the wall. Building Inspector Presto
has taken a hand In the matter M
is making an investigation Of his ow
y man passing saw the smoke az
sent in an alarm from box No. 81.
few minutes later someone else Sc
In an alarm from box No. 81. Engil
Companies l. .. 7 and and Tru,
Companies Nos. and responde
Deputy Chief Donohue was first
q command but in a short time Chi
Lutz was on the scene and to,
' charge. Assistant Chief Tazewell w
also on hand.
- The houses on either side OF [
y burning building filled with sno
and the occupants were driven 10 {
street. many Of them not taking tir
;, TO gather up any clothing other tn
n what they wore at the time.