Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-02
Il F|REMEN GASSED
IN 3ALARM BLAZE
All Recovering Menacing
Blaze Put Out With Less
Than $1,000 Loss.

The II flremen overcome by smoke
and gas last night while fighting the
three alarm fire at the Smith Trans
fer & Storage Co., 1913 U street, were
well on the road to recovery today.
None was reported seriously affected by
their ordeal.
Four of those overcome were taken
to Emergency Hospital, while a fifth
was admitted to Garfield Hospital.
Members of the two Fire Rescue Squads
and Emergency Hospital physicians
treated others at the scene of the fire.
John Kenney, "a years old, of No. /
Engine Company, probably the most
seriously affected, was taken to Gar
field Hospital in the tenth precinct
patrol while Roy Warfield, 20, of No. /
Engine Company: Herman z. Kerlin,
rs, and Fred M. Earnshaw, rs, both of
No IL Engine Company, and Anthony
j. Wernig, Al, of No. Z Engine Com
pany, were taken to Emergency Hos
pital in the eighth precinct patrol and
treated by DR.. John Schwarzman.
George Darling of No. 2 rescue squad,
Leo Lanihan and James F. Waters of
No. II Engine Company, Capt. Edward
O'Connor, Robert Lynch and j. T. Ell
lott, all OF No. Engine Company, were
given firSt-aid treatment on the scene
and permitted to return to duty i'm
mediately.
Melted Gas Pipe Blamed.
A melted gas pipe is believed to have
contributed greatly to the asphyxiation
of the firemen. The fire started when
an electric heater ignited a curtain in
the apartment occupied by j. H. Gasz-
ner, Waterman. at the rear of the of
fees. on the first floor of the storage
warehouse.
The fire was discovered at 1922 O'Clock
last night, when dense clouds of smoke
were seen pouring from the building. A
second alarm was turned in seven min
utes later. Fire Chief George S. Watson,
who responded on the second alarm,
sent in additions summons when he
reached the warehouse. =
Fighting courageously against the
smoke and gas as it took its toll upon
their ranks, the f1remen managed to
confine the fire almost entirely to the
apartment occupied by Gaszner. Sew
eral pianos in a nearby room were dam
aged. Arthur Clarendon Smith, senior
member of the firm, said this morning
that the damage would not reach $4,000.
Firemen finally located the source of
the escaping gas and employees of the
gas company succeeded in turning OIL
the flow from the street.
Deputy Marshal in Crash.
An automobile driven by Deputy Fire
Marshal Louis A. Radcliffe of All Ninth
street southeast, figured in a triple coll
liSion at New Jersey avenue and X
street, while proceeding to the fire. All
three machines were damaged while a
woman occupant of one of the cars SuS-
tanned cut hand.
Radcliffe was driving on New Jersey
avenue, with his two sons as passengers
in the car, when the accident occurred.
He said this morning that he was struck
broadside by an automobile being driven
on K street by Harry Olewack, 40, of
2101a Second street southeast.
The impact caused his car to careen
across the street and strike an automo-
bile driven by Chester Hoffman of 324
T street. which was going south on New
Jersey avenue. The, fire officials car
finally overturned. and he and his sons
were forced to break out of the machine
Olewacks machine also turned over
Mrs Rose Olewack, 35, who was riding
with him, was cut on one hand by the
flying glass. She was treated at Sibley
Hospital by DR.. j. Cartwell.
Fireman Loses Finger.
Earlier in the day Sergt. Joseph
Fought of No. 20 Engine Company had
the left little finger amputated While
fighting fire in the attic of the home
of Ellery G. Stowell Of 1874 Oliver street.
The blaze, of unknown origin, caused
damage estimated at approximately
81 900.
With several other firemen, Sergt
Fought was running the ladder up to
the attic to reach the fire. 1t slipped
and the upper portion fell. He was
taken to Emergency Hospital.
The fire was confined to the attic
and quickly extinguished.
The two fires were the most serious
Of the IS to which the Fire Department
was summoned Saturday and Sunday.