Little Damage Done in Two Durham Fires, Jan. 16, 1924

Two Alarms Are Answered Tuesday. . . Entire Department Called Out to Put Out Fire on Ford Automobile

Two fire alarms were sent in Tuesday, one of which, according to the fire chief, was unnecessary. Very little damage was done by either fire.

The first alarm was sent in because of the ignition of a Ford automobile which was standing in front of the Paris theatre at 6 p.m. An alarm was sent in through the alarm system, calling out the entire department of the fire equipment and men. Lives of pedestrians and autoists were endangered through the race of the fire trucks down Main street. Not knowing but that a serious conflagration might be under way, the firemen always make good time when a call come sin from the fire district. This practice should be discontinue, the chief declares. The department stands ready and willing at all times to assist the automobile owner by putting out a fire catching in his car but it is unnecessary to call out the entire fire department. A telephone call will bring help promptly, he stated, with time saved and danger avoided.

The second alarm was sent in at 9:30 o’clock from Hunt street. In some manner a small conflagration had started in the home owned and occupied by P. Kaplan. Very little damage was done. The origin was undetermined.

From page 2 of the Durham Morning Herald, Jan. 16, 1924