Evening star., 1947-04-12
50 Refrigerator Cars
Lost in 100000 Fire
Near Alexandra
Two Large Sheds Lost
In Fruit Growers
Express Yords
picture on Page A-3J

A spectacular 100000 fire in
the Fruit Growers Express yards,
just off Duke street extended,
near Alexandria, destroyed at
least so railroad refrigerator cars
and two large frame sheds this
morning.
The sheds were used as repair
shop for the refrigerator cars and
warehouse where paint, lumber,
cork, celotex and various refrigera-
ton supplies were kept.
Alexandria police said the fire
was believed to have started in the
paint shop.
The 60-foot high frame sheds gave
off flames that attracted hundreds
to the scene and caused police to
block off traffic on Duke street
extended.
Cars Outside Set on Fire.
Employees said the repair shed
always contained between so and
100 refrigerator cars. All in the
shed were destroyed, they said.
Many cars outside also caught fire.
j. H. Nagel, shop superintendent,
said damage was about 100000.
Mr.. Nagel was treated at the
scene for neck burns suffered, he
said, when he rushed into the fam
ing repair shop to see If any materi-
ais could be Salvaged.
Flames were within 10 feet of the
block-long building housing the
main Alexandria office of the COM
pany, Noble Smith, chief of the
company's fire battalion, said. He
said his men poured water into the
side and roof of the building near
est the fire.
| An hour-and-a-half after it was
discovered, the fire was reported
under control though still burning.
The tin roofs of the sheds col
lapsed early in the blaze, adding to
the sparks which caught nearby
railroad cars.
Scores of pieces of fire apparatus
responded to several alarms that
were sounded, some coming from
Fairfax County and nearby Army
and Navy installations.
Oil Drums Burst Into Flames.
Flames at one time came within
$50 yards of warehouse where
acetylene tanks are stored, firemen
said, Gasoline and oil drums in the
repair yards near the sheds added
| to the danger. Some of the oil
drums burst, catching fire. Firemen
saved others by pouring water on
them.
F'iremen reported the wind was
blowing SO as to carry the flames
away from several nearby dwellings.
Railroad traffic on tracks near the
blaze was not stopped-all roads
maintaining regular schedules.
Two children were treated at Alex
andria Hospital for injuries indi-
rectly due to the fire.
| William Wadel1, Is, of 1900 Roth
street, Fairfax County, was treated
for slight burns on his hands. The
hospital said the boy picked up a
bucket containing hot tar at the
scene of the blaze.
| Barbara Spinks, 13. of 500 North
Payne street, Alexandria, suffered a
bruised knee when an automobile
in which she was riding came to
| a sudden stop in heavy traffic, the
hospital said.
Lumber SRpplyS Burns.
Ts;rcf olarr1o NJ sfffo fire waS
sounded by L. d. Morris, a company
storekeeper, shortly after am. He
said the first fire company arrived
within five minutes.
Mr.. Nash said 200, 900 feet of luna-
Der was among the material de-
sroyed by the fire. He said the
company. which furnishes railroad
refrigerator cars for the shipment OF
fruit, would rebuild the repair and
storage sheds Immediately. The IA
tcilities here are the second largest
Harerated by the comDany.