WHITE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 86, 6 January 1930, Page 9

WHITE HOUSE

AGAIN THREATENED WITH DESTRUCTION OUTBREAK OF FIRE SUGGESTED INCENDIARISM (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. January 5, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, January 3. Following close on the White House fire on Christmas Eve, enormous crowds of excited citizens gathered when flames swept the supplementary house document room under the dome of the main Capitol Building. The fire offered a brilliant spectacle as flames and smoke poured through the roof and the fourth story windows. A general alarm brought firemen, who controlled the blaze in half an hour. After they appeared that historic structure was threatened with the worst fire since both wings were burnt during the war in 1812. The damage had not been etsimated to-night, but it is not believed to be great, and is due principally to water from the fire apparatus. Suggestions have been made from several sources that the proximity of the two fires in Washington indicate the activity of a pyromaniac, but the rumour as yet has not been substantiated. [By the fire on Christmas Eve the President’s executive offices were seriously damaged, and It was believed that Important records had been destroyed. That outbreak was supposed to be due to short-circuiting of the electric wiring.] ! FATAL FIRE IN NEW YORK EXPLOSION IN BASEMENT OF HOTEL TWO PEOPLE DEAD (Rec. January 5, 5.5 p.m.) New York, January 3. An invalid woman and an engineer were killed when flames swept the Hotel Marguery, one of the most exclusive hotels in the city. Following an unexplained explosion in the basement, flames shot up through the entire structure, by way of the elevator shafts, driving hundreds of residents, many of whom are prominent, to the streets in night attire. The damage has not been determined. Six firemen were overcome when fighting the blaze. Late to-night the police are searching the deserted suites for other fatalities. _