Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-01-09

Louis Bausch, chief of the Fire De-
partment, and John Kerrigan, statisti-
cal clerk, in their report of the oper-
ations of the department for the past
year, give the following interesting
and important information:
In 1923 there were 1872 alarms
with total losses $85, ,485.50. In 1924
there were 1876 alarms, with total
losses of $67,10735. The comparison
indicates the number Of alarms to be
almost equal, while the total losses
for 1924 show a material decrease
from those recorded for year of 1928.
When it is considered that approx
mately one half Of losses for 1924
were sustained in one fire, it is en-
couraging to note that balance of
fires were kept at very low figure.
In fact, 70 per cent Of fires were kept
from reaching a loss exceeding 500.
Our heaviest loss occurred in a non
fireproof building in which was stored
vast accumulation of highly in
flammable material, and taxed the
strength of the entire department for
a few hours.
Being mainly dependent on the tel
ephone for receipt of fire alarms,
there were received in this manner
ia alarms; 10 were received verbally,
and one came in from box ~, the lat
10 fn1ca oo11 flN1o1 p Ry n
shops. There were nine false alarms,
and two alarms beyond corporation
limits were responded to. Silent
alarms, for which no part of fire
alarm telegraph was required, num-
bered 81.
In extinguishing these fires the in
telligent use of chemicals was employ
ed wherever possible, thus avoiding
heavy water damages. In this man
ner rs per cent of all building fires
were controlled. This required 1872
gallons of chemical solution, this re-
quiring the use Of SO three-gallon
containers, Is 25-gallon containers
and six 40-gallon containers. Incipi-
ent blazes controlled by pyrene ex-
tinguishers numbered IA.
Total valuation of property at risk
BUILDINGS, $418,640; contents, $780,
425; total buildings and contents,
$618,065. Total amount of insurance
carried-Buildings, $243,520; contents,
$95,018; total amount insurance on
buildings and contents, $338,538.
Total losses = Buildings, $30,554,64;
contents, $36,552.71; total losses on
buildings and contents, $67,107.35.
Total insurance losses - Buildings,
$27 7,599.64; contents, $27,977.71; total
insurance losses on buildings and con-
tents, $55,57735. Total losses in
buildings in which fire originated,
$66,571.27. Total losses in buildings
in which fire did not originate,
$536,08. Average loss per fire,
$385.67. Per capita loss, 1928.
January had 25 alarms, whose
losses totaled $8,584.98; February
10 alarms, losses 500; March, II
alarms, losses $824.88; April 10
alarms, losses $5455; May nine
alarms, losses SITS; June eight
alarms, losses $500; July 10 alarms,
losses $67; August 16 alarms, losses
$4,000; September 13 alarms, losses
$36,253.54; October Is alarms, losses
$1,128.60; November 10 alarms, losses
$1,195.35; and December with "a
alarms and losses of $7120.
Reviewing the above classification
of fires we find that dwellings lead
in building fires, that automobiles
head the list in fires other than in
buildings, with grass fires a close Sec
ond Wood shingle roofs must be
classed as extremely hazardous, as
they stand out as leaders in causing
the greatest number of fire where loss
is occurred. The contributing cause
of fires in wooden roofs being Chin
ney sparks The warnings issued
from time to time relative to having
chimneys inspected for defects ap-
parently does not seem to have been
seriously taken, as numerous fires
have resulted from this source, whose
discovery in the incipient stage pre-
vented serious damages. Carelessness
still predominates in the cause of
fires.
Prevent fires before they happen is
now the modern watchword. This can