After the West Street Fire, Seattle Asked for a Fire Marshal

At the regular monthly meeting of the fire commission last night, the committee appointed last October to report ways and means for the prevention of fire and loss of life and property in hotels and lodging houses recommended the appointment of a fire marshal and electrician, one man to fill both offices. The committee—Jones, Kabaley and Meek—reported that loss of life such as that on West street might occur from faulty construction and referred its report to the city council.

“Your committee has visited nearly all the hotels and lodging houses in which, in our opinion, loss of life might occur by reason of faulty construction or inadequate methods of escape,” the report said. “The examination so far made has convinced us that the prevention of such occurrences as the fire on West street on the night of October [—] necessitates that an authority be vested in some person whose duty it shall be not only to report, but to have power to enforce such restrictions, alterations or requirements as in his judgment may be deemed advisable. This can only be done by ordinance and the creation of a fire marshal.”

The committee also warned that cheap electric wiring was a prolific cause of fires and that existing wiring ordinances had no one to enforce them. It pointed to San Francisco, which had both a fire marshal and a city electrician, and urged Seattle to create a similar office with power to investigate fires and summon witnesses. Chief Hunt submitted his monthly reports, and the commission approved his recommendation to buy 2,000 feet of 2 1/2-inch cotton rubber-lined hose. The office of medical examiner, held by Dr. Askam, was declared vacant and Dr. Eames was elected to fill it. The resignation of George Melse, driver of engine No. 1, was accepted.