Evening star., 1925-09-25
$4,000 OIL FIRE
LOSS IN R0SSLYN'
Explosions of Tanks Endan-
ger Firemen as 10000
Watch Spectacle.
Spec,al Dispatch To The star.

special Dispatch 70 The Star.
CLARENDON. Va. September 25.-
Washington and Virginia fremen took
desperate chances with their lives Ia st
night in suhduinF Are At the Crown
oil and Wax Co. in Rosslvn. which re-
suited in the explosion Of three 900
gallon gasoline filing tanks. two 400
gallon truck tanks and the destruc-
tion Of q large warehouse containing
great quantities OF oil. grease and
equipment. Damage In estimated at
$50. 900.
As each tank exploded great
streams of LIQUID FIRE were thrown
high into the skies, the red glow he
ing visible many miles. The hremen
had NO way Of estimating their dan
ger. They stuck 10 their duty, only
few being injured and these slightly.
John A. Spates. chief Of the Cherry
dale Volunteer Fire Department.
working near one OF the tanks when II
exploded. was badly shaken up and
cut about the face. and Stanley Morti-
mer OF the same department re-
ceiVed several lacera rations about the
hands while pulling hose line
through fence. Two members Of the
Ballston Department. W. r. Biggs and
A. X. Allison. had just left the plat
form of one Of the tanks. where they
were plrins a stream on another that
was in names. when II. too. exploded.
Apparatus from the Clarendon and
Rallston departments colided while
responding To the ala rn.
Explosion First Warning.
The Are. the cause OF which ia unde-
termined. was discovered by j. r.
Summerviile. superintendent Of the
Columbia Oil Co.. which adjoins the
Crown company's property. While
preparing to leave his Office for the
day the 1rst explosion occurred. He
telephoned to No. s Engine Company
in Washington. which was only few
minutes getting to the scene. Batal-
ion Chief Andrew n. Walters OF the
District Department. who also re-
sponded to the frst alarm. called out
four additional Washington COM
panies. including Nos. %. / and 3.
The first alarm brought out prac-
tically every available piece of fire
Apparatus in Arlington County. in
cludine that from Clarendon. Ball
ston. Cherrydale. Arlington. East Ar
lington and Jefferaon district. Alex
andria and Falls Church also sent
engines.
The firemen were greatly hampered
lot ldCk Ol wafer. A supply OF ~9IeF
at the Murphy and Ames Lumber
Yard ran out and the Are went un-
checked for quite a time until con-
nection with a supply 1000 feet away
could he made.
Hamp<red by Crowds.
The hremen were further hampered
by spproxima 10. 600 persons who
crowded close in to get A good view
OF the blaze.
The FIRE, il Ia believed. Will brink
TO a climax the fight of the Arlington.
Fairfax FfremAn's Association to have
the various oil and gasoline
comps MES operating In the coun-
ty submeree their tanks. The local
hremen have long heAn fearful of Sc
rious consequences through the COM
pa mics storing their gasoline and other
explosive materials In the open. sew
ersl months ako At their suggestion
the board Of supervisors adopted ordi
ma nces recurring the companies to
submerge or moat their tsnks. The
violation was brought to the attention
OF the board At its last meeting by
the Firemens Association. but action
by the latter was deferred when IL
was agree for the members Of the
association and representatives Of the
oil compa Mas 10 get together at the
courthouse Tuesday OF next week to
determine just what could be done TO
remedy the da nserous condition.