THE FIRE THAT STARTED ITSELF
“Joe Lockery told us the funniest thing this afternoon, mother,” said Walter as he came in from school.
“Tell me about it,” said Mrs. Homer, with interest.
“Joe asked us if we had ever heard of a fire that started itself. We thought he was joking, but he wasn’t.”
“A fire that started itself! Why, Walter, I can’t see anything funny about that!” replied Mrs. Homer.
“Well, we thought it was funny,” declared Walter.“Wait a minute till you hear about it, mother. Joe was telling us about a fire in his father’s furniture factory. The night watchman saw smoke coming out of a fourth story window.
“The watchman rang the fire alarm and then ran upstairs. The varnish room was full of smoke. Flames were bursting out of the top of a large metal can, into which the workmen threw the sweepings and dirty rags that had been used in polishing the furniture. The watchman soon put the fire out with the water in the fire buckets.
“When the firemen arrived, they said that the fire had started itself. The can had been left uncovered, and the rubbish and rags had caught fire from their own heat. I never heard of such a thing, did you?”
“Yes, I have often heard of such things,” said Mrs. Homer. “I am glad that nothing serious happened. It is very fortunate that the factory did not burn down. I suppose those rags were soaked with varnish and turpentine. I should think that the men would have known of the danger of their starting a fire.”
“Joe’s father said that the men had orders to keep the can covered and to remove it from the hot room at night. But I don’t see how oily rags could start a fire alone, do you, mother?”
“They certainly could do so,” Mrs. Homer replied. “You remember the fire in the Park Garage, don’t you?”
“I think I do. That was the fire that burned up so many automobiles, wasn’t it?”
“Yes; I heard afterwards that that fire was caused in the same way. A lot of oily rags which the workmenhad used were thrown into a corner. During the night when the garage was closed, they became very hot and burst into a flame.”
“Without a match or light?” exclaimed Walter.
“Yes, without a match or a spark of light. When things are set on fire by the heat within themselves, it is said that the fire was caused by spontaneous combustion.”
“Oh, yes; that is the word Joe used. Then it is true. Lots of us boys didn’t believe that such things could happen.”
“They do happen and would happen very much oftener if the city did not have public servants who come to carry such dangerous things away.”
“Public servants—oh, mother, do you mean the ash and rubbish collectors?”
“Yes, Walter; you know they come regularly for ashes and rubbish. If they did not, there would be many more fires, I fear.”
“I should think that if people knew of the danger they wouldn’t keep such things.”
“What would they do with them, Walter?”
“Why—I didn’t think about that. I don’t suppose that each family could have such things carted away for themselves, could they?”
“No, it would be impossible to keep our cellars and yards in good order without the system that the city uses. How untidy and unsafe we should all be. Besides the danger of spontaneous combustion, the rubbish would make hiding places for rats and mice, and would become a source of disease and uncleanliness.”
“Isn’t it splendid that the city attends to such things!” cried Walter. “Why, I never expected to say, ‘Three cheers for the ash man! Three cheers for the rubbish collector!’”
A Parade of Ash and Rubbish WagonsA Parade of Ash and Rubbish Wagons
QUESTIONS
Why should ashes be kept in a metal receptacle?Would there be danger in mixing ashes with rubbish? Why?Is there any danger in allowing rubbish to accumulate? Why?How might it affect health?How often do the ash and rubbish collectors come to your home?What is done with the ashes? With the rubbish?What kind of wagons are used?Why should every family be particular to observe the city regulations?Suppose every family had to dispose of its own ashes and rubbish—what would they do?How should we treat the ash and the rubbish collectors? Why?
Why should ashes be kept in a metal receptacle?
Would there be danger in mixing ashes with rubbish? Why?
Is there any danger in allowing rubbish to accumulate? Why?
How might it affect health?
How often do the ash and rubbish collectors come to your home?
What is done with the ashes? With the rubbish?
What kind of wagons are used?
Why should every family be particular to observe the city regulations?
Suppose every family had to dispose of its own ashes and rubbish—what would they do?
How should we treat the ash and the rubbish collectors? Why?
“THE CHILDREN OF TODAY ARE THE PEOPLE OF TO-MORROW.”
With the help of all your good public servants who save your strength, guard your safety and save your time, what kind of people should you grow to be?