Washington, DC Livery Stable Fire, Jul 1914

FIRE IN LIVERY STABLE

Quick Work Saves Forty Horses From Perishing in Flames.

Building and Contents, Including Buggies and Carriages, Destroyed-- A Scramble for Safety.

Forty horses were rescued from suffocation by smoke in a fire that destroyed the livery stable owned by William W. Chambers at 1237 R street northwest, at 1:30 o'clock this morning. Buggies and carriages to the value of $5,000 were destroyed. Chambers could make no estimate of the damage to the building.

The origin of the fire is not known. Soon after midnight, David O'Brien, one of the men employed at the stable, who was asleep on the second floor of the building was awakened and he detected the odor of smoke. He alarmed the other employes[sic] and a hasty scramble for the exits was made.

When Samuel R. Henry, second battalion chief, arrived on the scene he sent in a second alarm. Firemen fought the flames for more than a hour before they succeeded in gaining control.

William W. Chambers, the proprietor of the stable, who lives at 1709 Thirteenth street northwest, was one of the first on the scene, and he aided in rescuing the horses.

The Washington Post, Washington, D.C. 22 Jul 1914
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!