The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-31

SERIOUS The Ds stEuetton Of the New YorA
Cos Works-Thc Lower Part OF the CIsy In
pai knsss.
About three O'Clock yesterday afternoon, one
Of the workmen engaged in the New York gas
works, having some work to perform upon the
gass meter, repaired to that instrument, and COM
menced operations, with lighted candle in one
one hand. AS soon as the cock was turned, the
gas escaped, and accidentally took fire.
In an instant, the flames burst through the sky
lights in the root, and assembled distance of sixty
feet in the air, and, in moment more, the whole
building was in one sheet of flames.
- Before the alarm was gwen, the man pipe lead
ing TO the reservoir, which is located IN Church
street, was shut off, which precluded the possibi-
lily of an explosion. The firemen were promptly
on the spot, but the element had made such pro-
gTess that all hope OF saving the building was at
an end, and their exertions were directed to the
saving OF the surrounding property.
There were about one hundred barrels ottar and
rosin IN the building, which took fire, and here
the sight was awfully grand. A SOLID sheet Of
flame, fifty feet deep, rose about one hundred feet
high, and so intense was the heat, that several OF
those who were managing the pipes OF the nose,
side wall, on Hester street, burst, and came down
with tremendous crash, and the falling OF the
roof seemed only to feed the raging element.
1t was reported about this time that there was
S Ssneep aa Seea sns
being aware that the gas was shut of, until Aid:
Adams appeared and said all was safe he had
consulted the president OF the company, and there
was no danger to be aPprehended. They then
went to work with might and main; but by this
time the fire had communicated to the office,
which was fast being consumed by the raging
flames. The whole place being filled with gas, or
other combustible material, burned like finder,
before the progress of the flames was stayed.
At one time dense smoke issued from the
windows of the cellar but the free application OF
water soon stopped the fire In that quarter The
house, which was used for the manufacturing of
fixtures, were all saved, and about $5, 600 in cash,
was found and secured by Captain Kissner, of the
I4th ward police.
The house at the corner Of Hester and Orange
streets, belonging to the gas company, and occu-
pied by Mr.. John McCaffey, foreman in the gas
house, was partially destroyed, though he sue
ceeded IN removing all his furniture. The house
No. lA Orange street, of wood, occupied by Mr.
Adrian Graf, was destroyed; No. l26, of wood,
occupied Jointly by Mr.. Frederick Leak, gas fit
ter, and Mr.. John Wishart, policeman, almost en-
tirely destroyed; No. l2S, of wood, occupied joint
ly by Mr.. John Summerfeld and Mr.. William
Straih, was also almost entirely destroyed. The
inmates succeeded in removing all the furniture. :
The whole of the property destroyed belonged
TO the gas company, and their loss is estimated at
about 1000, upon which it is said there was a
trifling insurance
After the fremen had succeeded in combining
the fire to that portion above specified, the flames
still rose to a great height from that quarter of
the building where the tar and rosi in were stored
and up to late hour was still burning. The fire.
men deserve all praise for their untirng exertlons
for they never ceased working, except at the time
above stated, until the fire was entirely subdued,
or at least so far as danger might be apprehended,
space of three hours. The police arrangements,
department being quickly at their posts and rem
dering efficient service.
THE NIGHT SCENE.
The lower part of the city, in the evening" pre-
the brilliantly lighted stores which usually adorn
our principal thoroughfares, all was darkness !;
and 1t was curious to observe how all the usual
ayocatons, or pleasures of our citizens were cut
OIL by this sudden accident to the gas works The
street lamps were lighted, but flickered and died.
In our own office, we had to resort to candles,
lot OF line blue nose potatoes supplying the
places of candle-stlcks, much to the inconvenience
Of those who profess to- manufacture their own
gas, were left In the dark, much to the astonish-
ment of their neighbors.
Two of our theatres, (Burton's and the National
for their light, were obliged to suspend operations
forthe night, and, instead fbeautful performances
and the loud clamOr of applause, oil was still and
darkness and those hotels which were looking
to the gas works to light their splendid. halls,
parors, and saloons, were lighted only by the dim
flame OF candles, which long had since ceased to
be used among them,
The old saying of "when thing is missed, 1t
y moumed was fully verified at every turn, and
the want OF the much abused gas works was felt
quarter, where the gas mad long been the light to
the pedestrians pathway, and it seemed as 1t the
whole section of the city which was affected by
the calamity, was in hablliments OF mourning
La ~<~Ee
agent Of light has the city been subject to such
scene. The calamity will doubtless be hailed
with Joy by those who prOwl about the city to rob
their fellow men; for never before has such an
them. 1t would be well for the Chief of Police to
prepare for these midnight marauders, and place
a sufficient number of men on duty to Illustrate
their designs. The demand tor candles, about
dark was Unprecedented. A single establishment,
between five and seven o'clock, sold forty boxes
of sperm candles at rstail and to that department
Of trade it has proved one of the fortunate events
of business life.
Il will probably be some time before the works
will be again in operation, so as to supply their
customers.
important Proceedlngs OF the Board OF Health.
The Yellow Fever.
The Board met yesterday morning, in the cham
Der of the Board Of Aldermen, to take into con-
eideratlon the alarming accounts of fever on
Staten Island, to devise means to prevent contagion
and preserve the health of the city.
The following communication from DR.. Whiting
was read -
QUARANTINE, STATEN ISLAND,
.HHl August 30. 1S4S.
His Honor the Mayor deem 1t my duty to inform
you that there exists at this place and in the villages
Of Tompkinsville and Stspleton adjoining, the Qua
rantine grounds, disease that has within day or
two past assumed the character malignant yellow
fever certain symptoms and mild form Of the same
disease have prevailed for period Of ten or twelve
days. but not sufficiently decided to justify its desig-
nation as yellow fever, by all the physicians in and
about this neghborhood; but within few DAYS, a
number Of cases have occurred, with such defnitve
symptoms, as to leave their nature established
The first cases occurred in the quarantine grounds
among the bsstmen employed in the health oficers'
barge and those Of the barge and one or
employed on the steamboat dock, contiguous to this
place. Subsequently, the occurred among per-
sons living near the shore, in a district extending
about mile south OF this place, and quarter of .
mile IN shore The number Of cases. thus far, has