Evening star., 1949-05-23
Storms and Hail
Hit D. Area,
Cause 2Fires
Sunny Weather
Follows Downpour
Jomming Traffic

Warm, sunny weather returned
to the District area today in the
wake Of thunder and hail storms
that caused damage and traffic
tieups in several communities last
night.
Lightning was blamed for q
two-alarm fire that heavily dam
aged the three-story building Of
the Carly Electric 81 Armature
Service, Inc, 1903 Fourteenth
street NV, shortly after mid
night.
Witnesses saw a bolt strike the
roof, starting a blaze that raced
through the third floor, according
to Leon z. Hopkins, general man
ager. He estimated the damage
at several thousand dollars.
Two firemen. Pvts. Melvin Shell
and j. e. Woody. both of No. 4
Engine Co., were casualties in the
blaze. Pvt. Shell was temporarily
overcome by smoke, and Pvt.
Woody suffered q broken toe when
q piece of metal fell from the CELL
ing, the fire department said.
Greenhouse Windows Broken.
Another fire was started in the
home of Mrs. Maria krdai. l26
East Broad street. Falls Church,
when a falling tree limb knocked
down power 1ines. but damage was
reported small.
Hailstones as big as golf balls
broke over 1000 windows Of the
v. A. Frank a. Son greenhouse at
10725 Georgia avenue, Silver
Spring, the florist firms oficials
reported. Other hail ranging up
to mothball size was reported at
scattered points throughout the
metropolitan area.
In Lynchburg. Va, Weather
Bureau official said the hailstones
were as big as baseballs. Traffic
was halted and many windows
were broken, according to the
Associated Press.
Winds as high as 40 miles an
hour downed power lines at sew
eral places. A traffic light at Lee
highway and Fairfax drive, Falls
Church, was put out Of commits
sion for nearly an hour and the
broken wires caused the highway
to be closed to trafiic for a short
time.
"Hangman's Tree" Damaged.
An ancient oak tree known as
the Hangman's Tree, in the 100
block Of West Broad street, Falls
Church, was damaged when light
ming sheared of one Of its limbs,
blocking trafic for time. Houses
In several sections were without
light until lines were repaired.
Minor lightning damage oc-
Cured at the homes Of Clyde c.
Hill, 4414 Fuller drive, Kensing-
ton, Md, and e. j. Talbert, 511
Deerfield street, Silver Spring.
Prince Georges County police at
Hyattsville reported that the De-
tense highway at the Blandens-
burg Peace Cross, as usual. was
under several feet of water due to
high waters Of the Northeast
Branch Of the Anacostia River.
Traffic was able to get through
this morning but had to move
slowly. Defense highway at the
Ardmore turn also was under
water.
Bridges Under Water.
Montgomery County police at
Bethesda reported that bridges
across Rock Greek on Jones Mill
road and Browns lane also were
under water during the storm.
County police at Rockville said
high water covered Montrose road
between Rockville pike and Viers
Mill road. and that dirt and stones
were washed onto Viers Mill road
near Viers Mill Village.
A total of 1872 inches of rain
was measured at the National Air
port weather station during the
"A hours ending at 8 am. today.
This brought the months total to
5.67 inches, nearly 2 inches above
normal.