The Indianapolis times., 1934-05-19
Three Alarm Fire Drives
Families to Street; 2
Firemen Hurt.

A crazed "firebug," believed
by police to be a Negro, was
suspected today in the devas-
tating fire which injured two
firemen, drove a score of
Negro families from their
homes, and caused damage
estimated at more than
100000.
The spectacular fire, which at
tracted crowd of more than 10000
persons, destroyed vacant factory
and ten homes near Thirteenth and
Alvord streets early today.
Chief Bernard Lynck, head of the
fire prevention bureau, fatty stated
that his investigation showed that
the fire was started by the suspected
Negro, who also is charged by arson
experts with setting off eleven other
blazes in the neighborhood, since
April.
AL Feeney, state fire marshal,
joined Chief Lynch in the assertion
that the early morning blaze today
which left the three story plant,
formerly occupied by the Talge Ma
hogany Company, and ten Negro
homes, a mass of twisted ruins, was
Of incendiary origin.
Gasoline Traces Found
Inspecting the charred debris
where the fierce flames worked
havoc in the early morning hours
Chief Lynch asserted that distinct
traces of gasoline or coal oil, Smared
on walls and ceilings of the wrecked
plant were discovered by arson ex-
perts.
While 1000 persons watched, fire
men scaled the walls of the ruins
today, and fastened steel cables to
the masonry. Great sections of the
brick walls were brought crashing
down as the cables frightened. Clouds
of white dust enveloped the neigh
borhood.
Lee Dickinson, 2501 Park avenue,
night watchman, reported that he
had sen a suspicious" car near the
veneer plant, shortly before the fire.
He also reported hearing strange
'poundings" inside the vacant fac
tory.
Mahogany Plant Destroyed
The injured are Fireman Guy
Darling of No. 7 pumper company
burns on the right arm, and Fire
man William Volmer, also of No.
pumper company, burns on the
head. Both were treated at the
scene and went home.
In the costly blaze the plant ano
yard, of the Talge Mahogany Com
pany. Thirteenth street and Monor
railroad, were destroyed. The flames
leaped across Thirteenth street
firing the plant of the Indiana Junk
Company yard, operated by Pete
GranowSky, Lewis and Thirteenth
streets.
Spreading rapidly, the flames
touched off row of drab houses
occupied by Negroes on Alvorc
street, and spread from the junk
yard to a row of four empty houses
adjoining the Granowsky property
on Thirteenth street.
Frightened Families Routed
In the fierce light of the flames
Negro families trapped by the blaze
made miraculous escapes to safety
The frightened cries of men, women
and children, suddenly awakened
from sleep, mingled with the crash
of huge steel girders as the indus
trial plants and houses were de-
stroyed.
George Phillips, Negro night
watchman for the Cliff Meyer Goa
Company, 1919 East Fifteenth street
was walking north on Lewis street
after visiting with Mr.. Dickinson
when he discovered the fire.
Firemen. arriving on the scene
found the heat of the fire so intense
that at first they could not lay hose
successfully. Five lengths of hoSt
put down by No. 2 engine company
were burned to a crisp.
The wind. sweeping in from the
south. carried the flames over the
roofs of the buildings on Thirtietf
street where f1remen were stationed
to prevent the fire from spreading
farther north.