Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-23
Mrs. Peggie Davies, Who Fell
After Rescue of Son and
Mother-in-Law, in Hospital.
MISS STEIDLEY ESCAPES
BY LEAP UPON ROOF
Daniel Mularkey, Census Worker,
Aids When Three-Story Home
Is Found Fire Trap.

Mrs, Peggie Davies. 80 years old, one
Of six persons injured early yesterday
when fire swept the three-story home
Of her father-in-law, William Davies, at
1744 @ street, was still In a critical
condition today at Emergency Hospital
The others-Mr. Davies, 20; his wife,
Mrs. Ella Davies, "a; their daughter
Mrs. Mary GLADDEN., 25; Miss Louise
Steidley, IS, and Daniel Mularkey, 80
were improved, while Mrs. Peggie Davies
7-year-old son Billy was suffering from
a severe cold contracted as a result OF
the blaze.
Mrs. GLADDEN. and Miss Stsidley, who
lives at BIS Eighth street, had just re-
turned from a social engagement and
were in a room on the third floor when
they smelled smoke. At almost the
same time they heard Billy, who was
sleeping with his mother In rear room
on the same floor, cry.
Mrs. GLADDEN. and Miss Steidley at
first ignored the boys cutlery but later
when the odor Of smoke became more
pronounced, they opened their bed room
door. They found flames sweeping
through the hall, and escape seemed
impossible. They slammed the door.
Flames Block Escape.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Davies and his wife
Mrs. Ella Davies, who were sleeping on
the second floor, also had been awak-
ened by the smoke. Finding escape
through the hall blocked by a wall Of
flames. Mr.. Davies, an executive al
the woodward 81 Lothrop department
store, assisted his wife through a WIN
dow which opened on the roof OF 9
porch connecting the dwelling with the
one next door. -
Trapped on the third moor, MISS
Steidley escaped by leaping to the rooi
Of the porch. She and Mr.. Davies then
caught Mrs. Gladde1e who also jumped
from the window, and assisted her TO
In the meantime Mrs Peggie Davies
and her son were trapped on the third
floor. Mularkey, an employe OF the
Census Bureau, was passing IN a TAXI
cab, on his way home from the party
He kicked in the glass door Of the
house next door, occupied by Charles 8
Groves. The latter telephoned the
Fire Department, while Mularkey ran
to a room on the second moor. Leaning
from a window, Mularkey. who lives 81
1921 First street, saw Billy and MS
mother sitting on a windowsin just
Mrs. Davies held her son in out
stretched arms, while Mularkey graspec
him and pulled him to safety. Mularkey
then took Mrs. Davies hand and at
tempted to pull her into the window
but her weight was too great for him
He held her as long as he could, but
finally lost his grip, and She fell.
Women in Serious State.
The young woman and her mother
in-law were taken to Emergency Hos
pital, where both were found TO be IN
serious condition. The younger Mrs
Davies injuries consisted Of broken
leg, q fractured pelvis, head injury
and possible internal hurts. The elder
Mrs. Davies was burned about the feet
hands and neck.
Mularkey, whose ankle was cut when
he kicked in the door Of Mr.. Groves
residence, also was treated at Emer-
Rency. He was able TO return TO work
this morning. however.
Mrs. GLADDEN. and Miss Steidley were
treated for minor burns at the Groves
home, and the former later was taken
to George Washington University Hos
pital, where she was admitted as a
patient and treated for shock.
Mr. Davies also was treated for burns
at the Groves residence, where he stu
was confined to q bed today. Billy Is
staying at the home Of neighbor.
The Davies residence was virtually
wrecked by the IRE, origin OF which has
not been determined.