Evening star., 1928-04-20
100000 DOCK FIRE
DRAWS THOUSANDS
FiVe-AIarm Blaze Confined to
Lumber Plant as All D. c.
Companies Respond.

A spectacular five-alarm waterfront
fire last night destroyed 100000 worth
of lumber. creating a glare that was
seen for as miles and attracted $4,000
spectators. many of them coming from
Virginia and Maryland. Ten horses
were burned to death.
For a time the confiagration threat
ened the entire water front, but firemen.
representing every company In WASH
ington as well as volunteer companies
from suburban points. succeeded In
confning ii chiefly to the lumber plant
of Johnson g. wimsatt, Inc, 1912 Water
street southwest.
The stock was valued at 100000,
while the sheds. trucks and other equip
ment of the plant. which were also to-
tally destroyed. entailed an additional
loss of $50. 900, according TO W. X. VIM
sait. vice president of the firm, who
estimated the damage shortly after
the first alarm. at S;42 o'clock. The
fifth alarm was sounded at G;57 o'clock.
B. Seib. the fire marshal. after a sur
vey today. put the loss at $i25.000.
Excursion Boat Saved.
Flying sparks set fire 10 the roof OF
the Municipal Fish Wharf and the ex-
cursion steamer Z. Madison Hall, but
were extinguished quickly. Eight
streams OF water were played on the
lumber piles OF the !. S. Turover plant.
preventing them from catching fire.
Three horses were saved, one OF
which broke away and galloped OH into
the darkness after IL had been led TO
safe place. The horses were choice
H. N& ts~ Lob ~ a
particular pride
Despite the intense heat, which was
felt for blocks. only two firemen we're
injured although more than score
required treatment this morning for
smoke -if1flamed eyes Private Daniel
Brookbank OF No Truck Company.
had two teeth knocked out when a
hose nozzle hit him in the mouth, and
Acting Sergt Hobeyer OF No. Truck
Company sustained an injury to his
foot when he stepped on a nail.
Apparently originating In the stable
Of the plant, the fire gained rapid
headway II was discovered almost
simultaneously by Policeman A. r. w.
Esser os the harbor precinct, and Harry
Fields. coiored janiior. 400 Twelfth
street southwest Although surrounded
by flames, gasoline stored In q ZOO.
gallon tank failed 70 explode, but sent
up dense clouds Of smoke which van
ished In a fiery beacon which vas seen
for miles.
Throngs Watch Blaze.
Fully $4,000 spectators came TO the
scene, while as many more watched
from the opposite shore. Thongs we're
clustered about the Washington Mon
ument All available police reserves
were ordered 70 the scene. They MAIN
tanned effective fire lines. while traffic
officers Strengthened out the conges-
ton on streets leading 10 the river.
the Speedway and traiiic on the Alex
andria boulevard wns delayed for hours
Every available piece Of apparatus
In the city was brought into service.
save for o skeleton organization which
remained in reserve for any additional
fires which might break out, Twenty
one engine companies and eight truck
companies were actively engaged IN
flghting the fire besides tho fireboat.
which at one tiTne appeared 10 have
IL conquered, and the volunteer COM
panies from nelghboTing points. The
fireboat and No. IL Engine Company
continued 10 throw water on the enl-
beFs this morning.
The fire boat went into action on the
first alarm and threw 22 streams OF
water against the blaze from the water
side
the cylinder head on one OF the
pumps blew out, however. just as the
fire vas getting under control. putting
the boat out Of commission until this
morning. when some Of the pumps were
nut into operation. The shore COM
nanies were unable 10 attack the nrc
from the water side. and II swept
through the yard.
Wind Blows Flames.
Later the Flrenghter Was maneuyered
into a slip which runs into the lumber
yard and LIS used by lumber boats. IL
served SIS a bridge there, and nfemen
were enabled 10 attack the blaze from
several angles. In all. - streams of
water were poured into the fire.
AS the fire gained headway u gem
Grated a terrific heat ana nremcn
nnassed at the east side OF the plant,
projecting the fish wharves, were sub
iected 10 scorching blast and ham
pered by smoke and ashes, blown against
Them by stifT wind. The firemen who
were treated at Emergency Hospital
this morning for sore eyes, infiamed by
smoke and cinders. came mainly from
this gfoiiD,
Twenty.three eol0red prisoners, quar-
tered on The District Wharf. not only
failed 10 stampede, but extinguished
sparks which fell on their wharf, They
we're In charge 0f Mike Flaherty night
guard w. A. Stein. superintendent Of
The wharf. came there as soon ~ he
heard ot the fire.
Last nights IRE represents the most
damaging lumber yard FIRE fought In
Washington since the fire AT the w, A.,
Pierce yard, Sixth street and Rhode
Island avenue northeast, on April ~,
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