Firemen Hurt On Way to Park Blaze

(Source: The Clinton Advertiser, Clinton Iowa, Jan 17, 1923, Page 10)

Assistant Chief Krenz in Hospital; Two Modern Homes Destroyed By Fire at Mount Pleasant Park

Assistant fire chief Albert Krenz was seriously injured, and Chief James Keefe and Fireman Detlef Frahm also received injuries when the chief's car was in collision with Harry Friis' truck, while on its way to a fire at Mount Pleasant park shortly before 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.  Mr. Krenz is in Jane Lamb hospital.

Miss Mildred Johnson of 525 First avenue, who was walking on the sidewak when the crash came, was struck, and was hurried to Jane Lamb hospital.  This morning it was reported her injuries were confined to painful bruises, and are not serious.

Two large two-story frame houses were partially destroyed in the fire at Mount Pleasant park, and a third residence was scorched.  The interiors of the two houses were completely destroyed, with most of their furniture.  Both were modern homes, and the loss is heavy.

Firemen worked from 4 o'clock until after 9 last night before the blaze was entirely extinguished.

Residents of Mt. Pleasant park said today that had it not been for the splendid work of the firement the whole park might have gone up in smoke, as the fire burned so fiercely, and had attained such headway before it was discovered, that adjoining houses were threatened.

General Alarms of Fire

The fire at the park was discovered by Mrs. R. W. Bye, who turned in a telephone alarm.

Companies Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the truck responded.

The fire had started in the attic of the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Metheny, and spread quickly to the home of Mrs. Jennie Brown.  Both of these residences were badly burned, only the walls and porches remaining.

The home of Byrdie Clough, adjoining these, also caught fire, but the blaze was extinguished before serious damage had been done.  The exterior of the house was scorched.

Both pumpers were used, and firemen say the pressure was good, something like 200 pounds of the pumpers.

The park driveways were icy and it was necessary to lay long lines of hose.  In spite of these handicaps the firemen worked valiantly and performed spendid service.  Residents of Mt. Pleasant park were warm in their praise today.

The Accident

When the fire alarm reached the central station Chief Keefe and Assistant Chief Krenz jumped into the chief's car, which was driven by Fireman Detlef Frahm.  The chief's car turned west on Second avenue.

At the Fourth street intersection the Friis truck was being driven south.  The intersection was coated with ice.

Firemen say the chief's car was going at the rate of about 25 miles an hour when the crash came.

Both the driver of the truck, and Driver Frahm of the fire chief's car tried to avoid the collision, but the cars skidded on the icy pavement and struck.

Krenz Hurled From Car

Assistant Fire Chief Krenz occupied the back seat of the chief's car.  The chief was in the front seat with the driver.

When the shock came Mr. Krenz was hurled over the heads of the two men in the front seat.  The firemen said today he was thrown about thirty feet, and fell onto the sidewalk in front of Hinrich's grocery store.

Mr. Keefe and Driver Frahm were badly bumped and shaken, but were not thrown from the car.

Passers-by who saw the accident called a couple of ambulances to the scene but these were not needed and the injured men were taken away in private cars, Mr. Krenz to the hospital, and the chief and driver to the fire, where they worked some time in spite of their injuries, then were taken down town in cars.  Mr. Keefe was taken home, and Fireman Frahm remained at the station.

Firemen See Accident

The fire truck from No. 1 station, driven by Fireman Ed Walsh, was proceeding up Second avenue just behind the chief's car.  The truck was about 100 feet behind the car when the crash came.

Driver Walsh stopped the truck just beyond the intersection, and let off Fireman Graesle, who assisted the injured men.  Mr. Krenz was first taken to the city hall by Walter Arlen and Dr. Sugg was called.  The doctor ordered the injured man to Jane Lamb hospital immediately.

The truck of the No. 1 station then proceeded to the fire.  The other local fire trucks also were quickly on the scene, and the work of fighting the big blaze was commenced.

Starts in Metheny Home

The fire was discovered at 3:45 o'clock by Mrs. R. W. Bye, who saw a blaze on the roof of the Metheny home.

After turning in a telephone alarm, Mrs. Bye started to summon the neighbors, but only a feew were at the park.  Some of these had assembled at the scene within a few minutes, and efforts were made to remove furniture from the burning building.  With the exception of some small furniture nothing was saved, as the blaze spread with great rapidity.

The home was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Metheny.  The latter was formerly Mrs. Kittie Gifford.

It was a large 2-story frame seven-room house, one of the finest in the park.  It was thought today that the fire was caused by spontaneous combustion in the attic of the Metheny residence.

The Metheny home was formerly the Max Huffman residence, and had been deeded to the Mississippi Valley Spiritualists' association.  It was rented by the Metheneys.  It was finely furnished and in addition to the furniture of the couple a large quanity of furniture of the couple, a large quantity of furniture and effects belonging to the association had been store in the basement.  All of this was destroyed.

Mrs. Metheny, who was in the house when the fire broke out, didn't know the place was on fire until after the alarm had been turned in.

Brown Residence Burned

The blaze spread quickly to the home of Mrs. Jennie Brown, also a large frame two-story dwelling, and one of the finest in the park.  This was formerly the J. W. Chambers home.  The two houses occupied sites among the highest in the park.  The Brown home wsa completely modern, and was beautifully furnished.  Something like $3,000 had been spent on remodelling and furnishing it when Mrs. Brown bought it a year or so ago.  Mrs. Nettie Stockwell made her home with Mrs. Brown.

Most of the effects of the occupants were destroyed, as nothing was gotten out of the residence except a piano and a few chairs.

Fire Spreads Rapidly

The blaze spread so rapidly that when the firemen arrived the residences were doomed.

Two line of hose were laid, and both pumpers used.  About 1,000 feet of hose was laid from the hydrant at the corner of Seventh street and First avenue.  Another hose was attached at the Lubbers and Bell plant, and something like 850 feet of hose was laid.

Although nothing could be done to save the interiors of the two buildings, the firemen succeeded in holding the blaze within these two houses, with the exception of small damages at an adjoining house.  They pumped water from a little before 4 o'clock until 7:30, when the fire was under control.

Old Folks Alarmed

There are many aged people living in the park, and some of these were nervous and excited while the fire was in progress.

Two of these, Miss Whitmore who is blind, and Miss Aiken live a couple of doors from the scene of the blaze.  Each of these is said to be over 80 years of age.

"The firemen were wonderful," said Mrs. Bye to a reporter discussing the park fire.  "When the fire was at its height one of the firemen ran into the home of these old ladies and told them not to worry, as their home was safe.  He cheered and encouraged them wonderfully."

Many other residents of the park spoke today of the good work of the firemen and of their kindness in dealing with the old, infirm residents of the place.

The fire chief and Fireman Frahm, both suffering from bruises and wrenches received in the accident tried to do their share of the work at the fire and remained there for some time before they were taken in automobiles to the fire.  Fireman Frahm was on the job as usual this morning, but had some pain in his arm.  The chief was badly bruised, but probably will suffer no serious ill effects from the accident.

"Had it not been for the icy condition of the pavement at the corner of Fourth street and Second avenue," said one of the firemen today, "the accident would not have occurred.  The corner is dangerous and drivers of the fire rigs always take every precaution there because of the street car crossing, and the fact that visibility at the intersection is interfered with by the building on the four corners.  The fire chief's car was under control under normal conditions, and if the machine had not skidded Driver Frahm would have been able to avoid the collision."

Machines Damaged

Both the chief's car and the Friis truck were badly damaged in the collision.  The front wheel of the truck was knocked off.  The chief's car was somewhat battered and twisted but was driven away under its own power.

Loss About $9,000

It was estimated today that the loss at Mount Pleasant park last night will amount to between $9,000 and $10,000.  It also is reported that the insurance will not cover the losses sustained by the owners of the residences.

Harry Friis Injured

Harry Friis, driver of the truck which figured in the accident, was injured somewhat but was able to be at his office today.  He was considerably bruised and has a cut over the eye and a lame ankle.  Mr. Friis says he was driving at between 10 and 15 miles an hour when the accident occurred.

Will Take X-Rays

X0ray photographs of the chief and assistant chief are to be taken at Jane Lamb hospital this afternoon to ascertain if there are further injuries tha have been discovered.  The chief was at his home this morning and rested comfortably.

He said his automobile passed the No. 1 fire truck on Second avenue between Third and Fourth streets, as he was anxious to get ahead to sound the siren and give warning that the fire trucks were coming.  Approaching the intersection he leaned over and was pressing the button to sound the siren.  Just then he read the figures on the speedometer and saw that the car was going between 25 and 30 miles an hour.