The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-15
4 bL 0(;kS
ARE SWEPT
BY FLAMES
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modern buildings in the city, was
Sntirely destroyed.
The ten-story Austin building, the
ten-story Atlantic building, and a
number of smaller structures in
the path Of the flames are a total
loss.
Railway Burns Down.
approximately a block of the
superstructure Of the metropolitan
Elevated Railway, serving TIE
densely populated districts OF the
west side, was burned down. As q
result, officials of the elevated rail.
way company were faced with a
serious problem this morning i'm
bringing thousands of patrons to their
work. Thousands were late en' Il
probably will be several days before
traffic conditions are restored 20
normal
The burning of the elevated strive
ture added to the danger, as high
voltage electric wires and heavily
charged third rails" fell to the
ground. endangering firemen and
others. That the toll Of dead and
injured was not larger was consid-
cred almost miraculous, as the rapid
spread Of the flames and the topping
of walls constituted a serious and
constant danger.
Fire Marshal Shirley T. High
estimated the damage this morning
1t $4,000, 0OG and described the
blaze az 'rShe worst fire in Chicago
since 1871"
Although thousands witnessed ..;e
fire, countless other thousands slept
through 1t all, unconscious OF the
menace to interests shared by
virtually all the city. Early today
telephone calls from towns and
villages surrounding Chicago We're
still pouring in to make inquiry Con-
corning the source Of the reddeneI
skies that were visible from long
distances away.
Many Old Buildings.
The area swept by the fire. ale
though containing manv modern
structures, likewise contained many
smaller buildings of ancient and
dilapidated construction, and these
were factors in the rapid spread
OF the flames.
The fire arted. according to the
best information available. in the
quarters of the Chicago Lamp and
Fixture Company on the second
floor of a building at 521 West
Jackson boulevard. 1t spread rap.
idlv to adjoining buildings. of which
one was the Austin building, where
large quantities Of paints, oils, and
rope, belonging to wholesale
firm, were stored.
This material quickly ignited and
burned fiercely, sending showers
Of sparks skyward. They fell on
adjoining buildings and quickly set
fire to them. Within a few min
utes after fire had gushed from
the Austin building to the e. r.
q @. structure, that sixteen story
pile Of stone and concrete and steel
was a seething cauldron. Only it's
bisrkened skeleton stands today.
Three telegraphers at work in the
telegraph room of the Chicago. Bur
hngton, and Quincy building escaped
by dashing down a staircase. Their
office cat molly" is missing.
Difficult to Fight.
Firemen had the greatest diff |
Guilty in approaching the flames be-
cause the oil, paints, etc, intensified
the heat. Citizens dared approach
no closer than two blocks and fire
quarters.
Besides the elevated railway, the
tracks of the Aurora and Elgin rail-
way. an important interurban line,
were destroyed. making necessary
rerouting Of trains that caused much |
delay and inconvenience to thou
sands of commuters.
Probably the heaviest loser is the |
Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy |
Railroad, which besides the loss Of
its buildings. lost many valuable |
records and much expensive equip |
ment.