Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-12

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hands. In addition, the women
suffered burns about the body.
The victims. all reported in
good condition today, were:
Mrs. Gloria Nelson, %, and
Miss Elizabeth Forsyth, ID, who
lived in the converted stable
apartment.
Capt. George E. Deaner, 46,
Of 4729 North Twentieth street,
Arlington, of Rescue Squad No. /.
Second Battalion Chief Elmer
F. Stein. 81. of 326 Oglethorpe
street NV.
Rescue Squad Pvt. Harry E.
Gates, 20. of 27l3 Emmett road.
Silver Spring.
Heard Women Screaming
Released after treatment for
second degree facial burns were
Squad Pvts. Charles H. Mace and
Alden C. Kefauyer.
The first alarm sounded at
4:07 am. yesterday.
Allen johnson, %, of 1905
Florida avenue NV, was first
to arrive at the flaming apart
ment. He was on his way home
and heard the women screaming
for help. He dashed into the
second floor apartment and
found the women huddled in a
rear bedroom. They had already
called flremen.
Mr.. johnson said he was I'M
able to persuade the women to
drop through a window. so he
went over the sill and dropped
is feet to the ground to lead fire.
men to the window.
Meanwhile, however. firemen
had entered through a doorway
filled with flames.
Capt. Deaner, Chief Stein and
Pvt. Gates led the two women
back through the flames.
Tried to Rush Back
Once outdoors, the women
tried to rush back into the burn
ing apartment. thinking that
Mrs. Nelson's son Michael was
still trapped. However. firemen
had already handed The little
boy to safety. uninjured.
Capt. Deaner rushed back into
the apartment on information
Ia third woman was trapped
there. While he was searching
for her. the room burst into 0
mass Of flames.
The captain crouched on the
floor, pulling water-soaked cush-
ions over his head. Rescue
squadmen, led by Pvt. Gates,
battled their way to his rescue.
"Worst Time of All"
Chief Stein. a widower, has
been hoSpitalized four times for
injuries in the line of duty, but
he said tdoay that this fire gave
me the worst time of all"
He said he reached the top Of
the stairs, flames were crossing
the doorway and he dashed in.
II heard someone screaming"
he said. II couldn't see too much
through the hot smoke and gas.
I saw someone carrying the baby
out =. .
"One was leaning out of the
window, but l couldn't open it
enough to get her through.
felt the other woman on the floor
and one of them was whimpering,
I'm hurt, help me-
Leaps Through Fire
Il pulled up the one on the
floor and she screamed, Let
us alone, we don't want to go
out but / told her she had to,
There was three or four feet
of fire between me and the door
and made a dive, pulling them.
Running through those flames
both ways-you've got to be aw-
full dumb to pull a stunt like
that. But when you hear some
one hollering, you've got to go.
1t gave me the shakes"
Pvt. Gates has been hospital
lied for burns three times be-
fore. He dragged one of the
women down the stairs after she
fell and knocked Chief Stein
through the burning door.
Heard Ears Sizzling
Capt. Deaner, who has two
also has been treated
before for minor burns and cuts.
AS he huddled trapped in the
room. unable to get out. he said
today, II covered myself par
TALLY. There wasn't anything
else to do. I could hear my ears
and feel the skin drop
ping from my hands.
II just decided to wait it out.
After they knocked the fire down
a bit, I got up and went toward
the door. A couple of my men
found me. They were looking
for me-"
Cause of the fire was not de-
termined.
The converted stable resi-
dence is owned by Mrs. Eliza
beth T. Swift, 3617 Raymond
street, Chevy Chase, Md. The
fire-swept apartments damage
loss has not been estimated.