Evening star., 1940-04-30
Training School
Fire Blamed
On Angry Girls
Probe Opens After
Spectacular BIoze,
Started in Cells

An investigation of the two-alarm
fire last night at the National
Training School for Girls-which
police said was set by rebellious in
mateswas begun today by District
authorities.
Robert Bondy, director of the
Board of Welfare; Fire Marshal
Calvin Lauber and Police Capt.
Clarence Talley met at the institu-
ton at $50 am. to discuss the sit
uation. Mr.. Bondy said he believed
the matter would be handled as a
routine disciplinary problem, but
added that he was going to investi-
gate to determine whether more
drastic action is needed
The blaze broke out in two places
in Shaw Hall, one of the buildings
at the institution for incorrigible
girls. 1t started in a cell block
where seven girls we're locked up
as punishment for breaking out OF
the institution and for attacking a
matron.
Fire Started in Ceiling.
Mr. Bondy said that they had
apparently used papers and rags to
start the fire in the ceilings OF
their cells. The blaze spread into
the space between the ceiling and
the roof and did 5000 worth of DAM
age.
Firemen were summoned at 9:l3
o'clock OH first alarm and, when
they saw flames shooting from the
roof, turned in a second alarm at
9:26 o'clock as "a precautionary
measure" The blaze was brought
under control quickly and never
threatened to spread to other build
ings on the institutions grounds on
Conduit road near the Little Falls
road.
The girls occupying the cell block
where the fire started were led
| downstairs in the same building
until the fire was extinguished.
Hundreds of spectators were at
tracted to the scene and police were
posted near the grounds to keep
order.
The arrival of the fire engines
started inmates of the institution to
screaming. The girls yelled from
their windows at flremen, policemen
and others on the grounds. COM
planning about conditions in the
place.
Bondy Denies Riot.
Mr.. Bondy today denied that there
had been any riot at the institution
before, during or after the fire.
There was some confusion, as
might be expected" he said. But
have only praise for the way the
stan handled the emergency. The
whole thing was handled well. Even
the inmates made no attempt to
escape or create trouble"
The seven girls who were in the
cell block where the fire started had
been placed there about two weeks
ago. Mr.. Bondy said. Two of them
had broken out and had been re-
captured. The other five had par
tlclpated in an assault on a matron
and were being punished.
Mr.. Bondy said he could not
oAANACl oeoliO iiOW lllc Sll ID lldU SOlU6u
matches. He said he had no hope
OF learning how they had been
smuggled in.
The fire was discovered by Mrs.
Eta Walker, matron in charge of
the Shaw building. a short time
after lights out" She turned in
the alarm and notified Miss Jean
Bromley, night supervising matron.
Miss Bromley released inmates
from the cells and rooms in which
they had been locked and herded
them together on the first floor.
For few minutes the blaze was
spectacular but firemen quickly
brought 1t under control.
1t was said that one girl re-
ceived slight cuts when she broke
a window. All the girls in the build.
ing are colored, their ages ranging
from Is to 49,
The training school long has
been a trouble spot in the Welfare
Department.