Evening star., 1942-03-08
I Firemen Hurt
In Downtown
4-AIarm Blaze
Furniture Store Loss
Heavy; D. c. Records
Are Damaged

Seven firemen were injured or
overcome by smoke and IS received
treatment in a four-alarm blaze
yesterday that damaged valuable
records of the District Employment
Center and resulted in a loss esti-
mated at between $4,000 and $75,-
900 to the Commercial Office Furni-
ture Co., Eighth and E streets NV
Approximately $4,000 persons
watched scores of firemen from 16
engine and five truck companies
battle the stubborn fire for more
than two hours, while clouds of
black smoke spread over the down.
town section.
The fire apparently started in the
boiler room in the basement of the
three-story brick and concrete
structure occupied by the furniture
concern. according to L. E. King,
manager.
First Confined to Basement.
For the first hour the flames were
confined mostly to the basement,
storage space for Office furniture
and stationery supplies of all kinds.
Firemen were unable to enter be-
cause Of the heavy smoke in the
closed place. They thrust hoses
through doors at either end of the
structure and through two holes
battered in the rear of the building
by sledge hammers and rams.
The blaze went out of control
however, and ate up to the second
and third floors in the west end of
the building. Fire Chief Stephen
Porter, who personally directed the
fight, said it was one of the most
difficult blazes to get to he ever
had seen.
Smoke was first noticed by J. r.
Runnels, head of the Office firms
stationery department. Manager
Killing threw valuable records in the
company safe until forced to flee by
the smoke. He carried out the cash
box containing $500.
Porter Is Rescued.
The only person in the upper
stories was Charles White, colored
porter, who was brought down a
ladder by firemen when the build
ing filled with the smoke Employees
Of the Employment Center. which
occupies the top two floors, had all
gone because of the Saturday after
noon early closing time.
The building is isolated from
other structures in the neighborhood
by parking lot which surrounds
two sides of the corner structure
Automobiles in the lot were hastily
moved.
At least 100 auxiliary flremen and
policemen gained experience at the
blaze. These willing amateurs we're
much in evidence aiding in handling
hose and assisting regular police
men keep crowds a block away
Traffic was rerouted around the fire
A number of Red Cross nurses
and members of the Red Cross
Women's Motor Corps also re-
sponded. helping administer to the
smoked -choked firemen and standing
by for whatever other first-aid
might be demanded of them.
Firemen Treated.
Five of the injured flremen were
treated at Emergency Hospital and
released. They were 1t. j. w. Bell,
AZ, of 4019 Fifth street NV, cut
right hand; Sergt. J. R. Barry, 80,
of 261s Otis place NE. cut hand;
and, all overcome by smoke, 1t. Asa
Crosley. "A, of Berwyn, Md, and
Pvt. F. M. Carver, 33, BIG Seven
teenth street Sc. and Pvt. Graham
Lumsden. 80, of 2536 Fourteenth
street NV.
Treated at the scene were Pvts.
Howard Atwood, Charles Jones and
w. S. Mcconnell, overcome by smoke
Mr.. Killing said the building and
stores supplies are covered by in
surance. The structure and the
business are owned by Barney
Krucoff.