Rout of Firebugs Saves Millions

Rout of Firebugs Saves Millions

Records of the New York City fire department show that the loss through fires during the first six months of the present year was $3,580,315. as against $5,819,001 for the corresponding period in 1912—a decrease of $2,238,686. During the first six months of last year there were 8,455 fires, as against 6,605 reported this year. If this ratio is continued throughout the year New York will lose $4 477.372 less through fires in 1913 than in 1912 and have 3,700 fewer. The department estimates that the saving thus effected on the upkeep of apparatus will amount to $259,000 for the year. The reduction in the number of fires is attributed to the strenuous campaign which has been waged against arson and to the severe censure of fire insurance companies which have used lax methods in issuing policies, as well as to carrying out fire-prevention regulations. Thousands of copies of fire-prevention orders, warnings and restrictions were issued and widely distributed during the year, the department having established a well-equipped printing office of its own for this work. The fire department lookupon the practical wiping out of the old “firebug" district as one of the most important of its achievements. This district extended from Ninety-sixth to 106th street, and was bounded by Madison avenue and the East river. In previous years there have been as many as 55 fires a month in it. This year the average has been reduced to 17.

Records of the New York City fire department show that the loss through fires during the first six months of the present year was $3,580,315. as against $5,819,001 for the corresponding period in 1912—a decrease of $2,238,686. During the first six months of last year there were 8,455 fires, as against 6,605 reported this year. If this ratio is continued throughout the year New York will lose $4 477.372 less through fires in 1913 than in 1912 and have 3,700 fewer. The department estimates that the saving thus effected on the upkeep of apparatus will amount to $259,000 for the year. The reduction in the number of fires is attributed to the strenuous campaign which has been waged against arson and to the severe censure of fire insurance companies which have used lax methods in issuing policies, as well as to carrying out fire-prevention regulations. Thousands of copies of fire-prevention orders, warnings and restrictions were issued and widely distributed during the year, the department having established a well-equipped printing office of its own for this work. The fire department lookupon the practical wiping out of the old “firebug" district as one of the most important of its achievements. This district extended from Ninety-sixth to 106th street, and was bounded by Madison avenue and the East river. In previous years there have been as many as 55 fires a month in it. This year the average has been reduced to 17.