INSECURE BUILDINGS
Not the least among the many dangers which Firemen are called upon to face is that which results from the erection of improperly constructed and insecure buildings. Especially is this true in the great cities, where, owing to the high Price of land, buildings run up into the air to the height of six and eight stories. Very often these buildings an’ constructed in so loose and frail a manner that the wonder is that they do not give way under the weight of their own material. Indeed, this not unfrequently does occur. Iu this city, but a few months ago, a large, brick warehouse toppled over into the street, mixing tho groceries and provisions with which it was overloaded with the debris of the building in a promiscuous pile, which it took days to remove. This event arrested public attention for some days, during which a number of dangerous buildings were pointed out to the authorities. Many of these superficial top-lofty structures aro the merest sliolls, consisting of a single thickness of bricks above the second floor, and even these flimsy Avails being numerously pierced for floor timber, etc. When a tiro occurs in such a building, lie is a fool-hardy and reckless Fireman who, knowing the nature of the structure, will venture within or upon it. As soon as the flames become strong enough to heat the Avails they crack and crumble from their effects, and soon come tumbling down, burying every thing and every body within reach. There is scarcely an account published of sorious fires occurring in our large cities that mention is not made of firemen killed or maimed for life by falling Avails. Thi» would not occur wero the buildings properly constructed. Such accidents seldom occur in European countries, for the reason that the walls of their buildings are usually massive in their construction and impregnable to heat. The building may be gutted by the flames, and every particle of wood Avork consumed, but the Avails remain firm and unyielding. In this country thin, cheap Avails are the rule in building, and Firemen have learned to regard them with suspicion. An important part of the duty of a Chief at a fire is to ascertain the character of the Avails of the threatened building, and keep liis men aAvay from them. It is better that the property be consumed in the flames than that human lives be placed in jeopardy.
In most cities tbero are building laAvs which are supposed to govern the construction of buildings, but these laws are ignored to a great extent, or enforced with the greatest degree of laxity. It is a popular notion in this country that one may do as he likes with liis own, and consequently any Jpw which apparently interferes with the alleged rights of the ; individual are popularly regarded as I “more honored in the breach than the observance.” Yet if a man sets fire to his house, and thereby endangers his neighbor’s property, he is adjudged deserving of imprisonment. In old times arson was a hanging offense. The man who erects an unsafe building imperils not only the property of his neighbors, but their lives. He should be restrained by law by means of fully as severe penalties as are provided for the crime of arson. But prevention is better than cure. Rigorous building laws, rigidly enforced, are the only safeguards that can be relied upon to prevent tho erection of unsafe buildings. As Firemen are called upon to face the perils imposed by such buildings, they should intei’est themselves to see that the building laws are enforced, and the construction of these tall, flimsy brick death traps prohibited.
