Seattle’s Fire Department Answered 197 Alarms in 1893 — Nearly Half Were False

The chief of the fire department has made his annual report to the commissioners, reviewing the operations of the department in the year 1893 and making recommendations. Among these is the appointment of a fire marshal. The report follows:

“The department has responded to 197 alarms during 1893, an increase of 27 over the previous year, with a loss of $4,011.44, against an insurance of $1,300,580. The total value of property endangered was $411,152.32.

The best of harmony prevails and the rules are rigidly enforced. Believing that good order and good discipline are easier maintained by not having busybodies on the force, care has been taken to appoint only men who are likely to be sober, industrious, and willing to perform their duty without pointing out the faults of others. Intoxication is made a cause for removal on the first offense, and in every case where intoxication has been proven it has resulted in the resignation or removal of the offending member. This has had a beneficial effect both for efficiency and discipline.

In a city of the size and importance of Seattle there should be a fire marshal, whose duty it should be to enforce all existing fire laws and recommend such legislation as he should find from time to time necessary, and to investigate all fires, etc. At the present time the enforcement of fire ordinances is distributed in too many places, and we recommend the appointment of a marshal, or that a secretary be appointed to the department and the chief of the department be given the powers of a marshal.

We recommend that the city adopt a service of insulated wire for the telephone service, under direction of the superintendent of fire alarms.”

The report appended a detailed statement of causes of alarms: boiler explosion 1, brush 9, burnt crackers 1, children 3, chimneys burning out 7, coals 1, electric wires 2, candle 1, defective flue 13, defective fireplace 4, false alarm 98, furnace 2, gasoline stove 5, grease pot 1, gas 1, fire 1, hot ashes 5, lamp explosion 11, overturned lamp 9, lighting fire with oil 1, matches 1, overheated stove 3, oil near stove 1, rags 1, rubbish 1, range 1, smoke house 1, stage fire 1, spark from forge 1, spark from arc light 1, sparks 12, spontaneous 1, unknown 39.

Chemical Company No. 3 was mustered out of service June 23, 1893, and Engine Company No. 6 organized. Hose Company No. 7 was organized October 3 and put in service on Lee and Banner streets, Queen Anne Hill.

The manual force has been increased by the addition of four men during the year and now consists of seventy-six men.

Five horses have been obtained from the street department, three purchased, three sold and one died. At present there are thirty-five horses.

Only nineteen hydrants have been put in during the year, making a total of 468. I am pleased to learn that arrangements have been made to place a large number in the business portion of the city.

One steamer, one hook and ladder truck, two hose wagons and 2,000 feet of hose have been added to the equipment of the department. Two hose wagons have been put in service and only 2,000 feet of new hose purchased. We would recommend the immediate purchase of 3,000 feet.

The total value of real estate, buildings and equipment is $270,014.27.