A newspaper article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle on September 12, 1911, reported on a chimney fire at a home of the John Hansen family on Park Place in Lynbrook on Saturday, September 9, 1911.  The article stated that the family was preparing dinner about midday when their chimney caught fire.  The family was unaware of the fire and continued cooking. 

A neighbor called the Lynbrook Fire Department.  Chief Steve Dolbeer (1911-1912) of Hose Company, "acted as a curb to the zeal of the firemen, who at once began to tear down the chimney and break windows."  The article further stated, "A shower of bricks, which came from an unknow volunteer on the roof, narrowly missed hitting several who were standing about the house."   It also said that the Hansen family took their partially cook dinner to neighbors and completed the cooking. 

One of the surprising statements in this article was the comment, "While the fire was a trifling one, perhaps the most noticeable feature of it was the order of the firemen.  It was whispered that peace had been restored in the department.  Chief Dolbeer, who was a mark for the stream of water at a recent fire, stood calmly by yesterday and gave orders to the firefighters." 

Archival stories regarding the referenced "douse" have proved difficult to locate.

www.lynbrookfd.org