The report of the Board of Fire Commissioners, just printed, shows
that during the year 1879 there were in this city 1,551 fires, of
which 1,029 were discovered by persons not connected with the Fire
or Police Department. In 1,456 cases the fires were confined to the
buildings in which they originated. Twenty-five buildings were totally
destroyed, and 69 were greatly damaged. Of all the fires, 1,001 were
extinguished by buckets of water and fire extinguishers. The total
estimated loss by fire during the year was $900,280 on buildings
and $4,771,300 on stock, making a total of $5,671,580. The
estimated insurances on the buildings were $7,276,446, and on stock,
$14,525,264, making a total of $21,801,710. The estimated uninsured
loss was $180,060. In three cases the loss was between $100,000 and
$115,000; in one case $168,908; in one case $352,185; in one case
$333,900; and in one case $1,978,991. In 1,066 cases the loss was less
than $100.
Nearly a quarter of all the fires were caused by carelessness, and 100
are attributed to children playing with matches and fire. Forty fires
were caused by the spontaneous combustion of oily rags and other
materials, and 93 by exploding kerosene lamps. Four members of the
department and 12 citizens died of injuries received at fires during
the year, and 139 firemen and 54 citizens were more or less injured.
There are 729 uniformed members of the department The pay roll of the
whole department for 1879 was $1,030,822.14, and the appropriation for
all expenses was $1,254,970. The appropriation for the present year
is $1,307,670. The department now possesses 233 horses, 1 marine steam
fire engine, 58 steam fire engines, of which 5 are self propelling,
10 chemical engines, 24 hook and ladder trucks, 108 chemical fire
extinguishers, and 4 aerial ladders, together with other fire
apparatus.
The annual inspection of the department showed that the quickest
average time in hitching a team was 3.17 seconds, and in hitching
a single horse, 5.66 seconds. The general average in hitching all
apparatus was, in 1879, 9.54 seconds; in 1878, 10.26 seconds; and in
1877, 13.03 seconds.
During the year, $30,300 was collected for licenses for the sale of
kerosene oil, each license costing $10. The Fire Department Relief
Fund now amounts to $422,569.07, and the insurance fund to $12,780.
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