Evening star., 1941-08-15
D. T.. Firemen Aid
In Quenching Blaze
Near Torpedo Plant
$4,000 General Alarm
Fire Hits Alexandra
With Force at Convention

By Staff Correspondent OF The Star
ALEXANDRIA, Va, Aug. l5.-A
general-alarm fire which brought
out apparatus and men from the
District of Columbia wrecked two
1O0-year-old buildings in the 100
block of King street sarly today and
burned off the roof of a third, all
of them separated from the Naval
Torpedo Plant only by the width of
an alley.
Despite a shortage of firemen,
most of whom were attending the
State Firemen's Association conven-
ton at Staunton, the blaze was
brought under control with the aid
of nearby residents aroused from
their sleep by screaming sirens and
two companies of men from the
District summoned when only IA
Alexandria regular and reserve fire
men responded to the alarm.
The fire was discovered by marine
guards at the torpedo plant about
2:30 O'Clock when flames were seen
in the rear of the second floor OF
the Silver Falls Paper Co. at 119
King street. BY the time city appa-
ratus reached the scene, the marines
had two hose lines in operation, one
on the paper company building
across the alley and the other on
the walls and roof of the torpedo
plant itself to prevent the blaze
from spreading.
Flames Quickly Spread.
The paper company deals largely
in scrap paper and the flames soon
enveloped the upper part of the
building and spread to the Bryant's
Fertilizer Co. at lit King street,
where a large stock of seed and
grain was stored, and to the w. A.
Barnett & Sons wholesale confec-
tionery concern.
Preliminary estimates of the dam
age to buildings and stock was more
than $4,000, according to Fire De-
partment officials.
1t was the first general alarm the
city has known in more than III
years. Sufficient apparatus was
available, but man power was lack
ing and a call was sent to the Dis
trict Fire Department. Help was
sent from No. 13 and No. is en-
gine companies.
Civilians Pressed in Service.
Meanwhile, nearby residents, ap-
pearing in pajamas and night
clothes to watch, were pressed into
service by Acting Chief w. M. Bar
bour of Alexandria No. 5 company
and II hose lines were quickly laid
to the burning structures. Two
more were laid by the District fire.
men when they arrived.
The flames destroyed the paper
and fertilizer company buildings
and burned the roof of the confec-
tionary plant before they were
brought under control. The walls
of the torpedo plant were blistered
slightly, but work was not halted
except for few minutes while en-
ployes moved their cars parked
nearby. Navy officials said no ex-
plosives are kept in the plant.
Only one injury was reported by
the firemen. w. E. Jeffries OF No.
S company was cut on his left foot
while he was working on the roof
of one of the buildings.
Chief j. M. Duncan, who with
about $50 regular and reserve men,
bers of the department, were at
the convention at Staunton, is ex-
pected back today. The meeting
closes this afternoon.
The cause of the blaze was I'M
determined, fire officials said. 1t
spread from the paper company
building to the two adjoining struc-
lures.
Herbert Bryant said large part
of his stock consisted of orchard
grass, which he has been shipping
to England. Most of the damage,
estimated at more than 10000, was
confined to the second and third
floors.
Damage to the candy company
was mostly from water, according to
Earl Barnett.