The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-18
EirCs In N w YORK.

DESTRUCTION OF swlfT's SUGAR REFINERY-NEARLY
HALF A MILLION OF PROPERTY DESTROYED.
About half past II o'clock Monday morning, fire
broke in Swift steam sugar refinery corner West
and Laght streets. which resulted in Of the
tensivc conagratons that has occurred in this city for
long time The building of the largest establish
ments Of the kind in New York being ten stories high
occupying a whole block Washington West and
Iaght streets and enclosing yard in the centre
The alarm Of fire rung for the eighth district about
one o'clock, when the iremen, considerable portion
Of whom engaged ut the time at a fire in
Pearl street arrived in great force from all
quarters In Consequence Of the great extent Of the
building they could not act with muci, effect and the
inc which hnd olrt ady been raging for nearly half
hour spreading with fearful Inpdity, and IN short
time HE whole large establishment envcloped in one
vast sheet Of fumes. The immense number of Ii Y shcads
and barrels Of sugar stor, the building only
much more fuel to the dcvourug element. The flames
soon burst forth from every window. and fhootin,
through the roof in awful grandeur to the very sky
Such was the imposing extent OF the blaze. that the
whole city became perfectly Illuminated. while burning
cmbers were dancing in the air in MI directions All the
efforts q the hremcn "a check the raging fire In its
sructivc course were utterly abortyc The heat at
this time so intense that tn. fremen compelled
to quit their posts while the Of buildings in Laight
street fronting the burning edce, we're every moment
in danger Of taking fire In fttct. Of thcm were
pretty much corched but by the excrtios Of the gant
fir, who Kept several streams constantly playing
upon this building all further damage prevented.
The fire continued TO blaze forth with terrific fury until
about four o'clock. when the walls down with u trc.
cratn. converting the whole building into
bur ming Of ruins The falling Of the walls
the flames to considerable extent and the irein
could act with some effect. The whole building is
razed to The ground while the large stock Of sugar
tanned Ia the same completely destroyed excepting
hogsheads and barrels together with the Office fixtures
books &C. which were SAVED. The whole loss of Mcssrs
Swift il estimate, ut nearly half million dollars which Is
only partially covered by the insurance We understand
that the insured to the amount Of $3.50 the
rious city insurance companies. The buildings cst
mated to have been worth 100000 and the property
nearly $500 600 There wa strong police force present
from the beginning Of the fire rendered efficient GER
vice in maintaining order mud preserving large
Of property Couid rable alarm and confusion prevailed
among the nmatrs Of the opposite buildings who
ruBniI about in frantic state only halt dressed
aud some carrying furniture in all dur, ctions
nc origin ~ the fire has accurately
trin,d II was first discovered by Of Mr.. Thomas
the foreman about half past II clock lie thinks that
1t originated in the burnt bone used In refining aud
from ,ht nee extended rapidly upwards through the ce
yators for rg tho bone into the lofts The sitc OF this
splendid csnhihmcnt PR cnte nothing but a scene
81 IL, relation and de- ructon Tho large niss OF ruins
are attn mcudcriug away and according ~ All appear
arcce vii continue 70 do some tIic notwtntand-
irR that there several screams ktp. playing upon
them.
FIRE IN PEARL STREET.
About IL O'Clock Monday night. destructive
fire ht Ike out in the fourth door Of houe No 20 Pea
fucct The uppfr part occupied ny Snbdlhri "
~ others vholealc dealers il oil cloths aud the ground
Eco IN ptstcfiun of Mesrs Ballwiu Stu1w-il n
htr. M Whfltiale boot aud shoe store The re de-
paItment being promptly the spot the fire was soon
cxiippuh he'd. he damage by rc ai water ~ set Town
NJ I'll GOO which Is fully covered toy insurance vap ns
Ditchct Silfcy Brennan and Leonard. with their mcl,
we're carly the ground and rendered valuable service