Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-08
BOWIE RACE TRACK
SWEPT BY FLAMES
Grandstand, Clubhouse and
BIeac.'lars and Judges
Stand Razed.

Bowie race track was almost de-
stroyed by fire early this morning,
only the stables and part of the pad
dock escaping. The damage is esti-
mated between $l50,000 and 100000,
The fire was discovered at o'clock
by Albert Johnson, colored watchman.
Flames were bursting through the
roof Of the grandstand over Stevens
dining room, near the bleaehers. John
son spread the alarm and telephoned
Richard Pending. superintendent of
the track. at 4710 Park Heights ave-
nue.. Baltimore.
About 15 farmers responded. but
with meager equipment they We're un
able to check the flames. but they pre-
vented spread of the fire to the sta
bies. The entire grandstand club
house and bleachers were burned to
the ground The roof of the shed
over the paddock caught fire from the
intense heat. but was put ont by the
falling of the clubhouse wall adjoin-
ing it,, which Knocked down that part
of the blazing roof
Judges Stand Raced.
The fire, gaining headway rapidly,
spread to the judges stand. imme-
in short order the stand was reduced
to cinders. In the rear of the grand
stand and beneath the seats that once
were filled with devotees Of the sport
of kings, the flames had full sway.
Every pari-mutuel machine. where
TIL, little numbers used to click their
merry way around while the odds
went up and down. was destroyed.
The printing machine for the pro-
grams was consumed. The flames
even made their way to the tracks
of the Washington. Baltimore & An
napolis Electric lines. the only rallied
entrance to the track. Charred poles
were left there. Four motor trucks
also We're burned.
The scene shortly before noon to-
day was one of dasolation. The ruins
were still smoldering, with flames
dartine up occasionally from the still
glowing embers. Heat still could be
felt arising from the blackenad
bricks and concrete bases. How hot
the fire had been could be ascertained
from the crumbled concrete walk in
front of the former stands, where
twisted iron beams lay.
No one was injured in the fire.
fighting of early this morning. No
horses We're quartered at this time
of year around the track.
No fire engines entered the lighted
scene. The water tanks at the track
have more water than the village of
Bowie. A few hose and chemicals
were all the volunteers had. Among
those who worked through and past
the dawn included Schubert. Dewey,
Paul and Martin Meyers of Little
PatuXent and John Scott. Patsy
Johnson, Basil and Tom Queen, Lee
Phillips and John Wright of Prince
Georges County.
Officials Are Notified.
Supt. Pending, who reached the
scene at o'clock, stated that he had
wired J. +. O'Hara, John Farrell and
Mrs. G. ID. Bryan. jr., principal own
ers Of the Southern Maryland Agri-
culture Association, which conducts
the Bowie meets. They are in Can
ada. attending the races at Thorn
cliffe. He stated that he believed the
track to be fully insured and that it
would be rebuilt in time for the Fall
meeting.
The origin of the fire is unknown.
One possible cause advanced by Mr..
Pending was an exposed wire. ltats
may have worn the insulation off. he
stated. and the bare wire touched the
roof causing a short circuit
The first ct at Bowie was held
in 1914. and Spring and Fall meets
have been held there each year since.
The track is about midway between
this city and Baltimore. and drew
equally upon the racing enthusiasts
of the two cities.