Atlanta Fire Report

Atlanta Fire Report

According to the annual report of Chief W. B. Cummings of Atlanta, Ga., for the year 1914, the loss for that period was $671,128. The month of January, 1914, shows the heaviest loss for a single month during the year, the total being $212,253. The value of the buildings lost or damaged by fire during the year is $8,131,645, on which was carried $5,757,845 in insurance. The insurance loss on buildings and contents amounts to $639,631. Sparks from chimneys caused 439 fires, the greatest number from one cause. There were 168 fires of unknown causes and 101 false alarms. There were only 1,470 fires altogether during the year. One fire was caused by the explosion of sewer gas. Fireworks caused 4 fires, and the careless cigarette smoker caused fourteen fires. Chief Cummings calls the attention of council to the necessity of equipping the department with motor vehicles. “The efficiency of the department could be increased 100 per cent, if it were possible at this time to supplant every horse-drawn pipe of apparatus with modern motor-drawn equipment,” says the chief. Two new stations were built during the year. The total value of property and equipment of the department is $717,348.58. Chief Cummings comments favorably on the new fire alarm system and the addition of a number of boxes during the year.

According to the annual report of Chief W. B. Cummings of Atlanta, Ga., for the year 1914, the loss for that period was $671,128. The month of January, 1914, shows the heaviest loss for a single month during the year, the total being $212,253. The value of the buildings lost or damaged by fire during the year is $8,131,645, on which was carried $5,757,845 in insurance. The insurance loss on buildings and contents amounts to $639,631. Sparks from chimneys caused 439 fires, the greatest number from one cause. There were 168 fires of unknown causes and 101 false alarms. There were only 1,470 fires altogether during the year. One fire was caused by the explosion of sewer gas. Fireworks caused 4 fires, and the careless cigarette smoker caused fourteen fires. Chief Cummings calls the attention of council to the necessity of equipping the department with motor vehicles. “The efficiency of the department could be increased 100 per cent, if it were possible at this time to supplant every horse-drawn pipe of apparatus with modern motor-drawn equipment,” says the chief. Two new stations were built during the year. The total value of property and equipment of the department is $717,348.58. Chief Cummings comments favorably on the new fire alarm system and the addition of a number of boxes during the year.