The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-29
The Fire In New Orleans.
PLACIDE's VARIETIES THEATRE DESTROYED.

[From the New Orleans Delta Nov. 21.l
Al Aeou, ten minutes past o'clock this morning fire
and soon that beautiful edice wrapped in flames.
The fire next caught the large livery stables adjoining
Mr. William Reddngton and tailors shop, which, to-
gcther with the theatre, were, In less than hour,
Notwithstanding the superhuman exertions of Fire
Department, reduced to heap Of smouldering ruins.
The contents Of the theatre, properties, scenery,
wardrobe and ALL were completely destroyed With the
assistance of the remen however, the horses and car
rages of Mr. Bennett saved from his tablas The
building of the Waerworks Company was at one time on
FIRE, and the rear portion partly destroyed but it
men, The staircase Of Mr.. McDonAd's restaurant
destroyed and the building other wise injured The
extent 81 the sonas1to1 very great as the theatre
loss by the confagraton cannot fall short Of 800 00O
and the only insurance we can hear of is $4,000 in the
Crescent the wardrobe and 81 500 the stables in
the Sun Mutual This all could learn about the
insurance. There was some difficulty about insurng,
owing TO the fact Of its being owned by stockholders
and there were great many shares.
The only person injured was young fireman named
Toby Hart who working of the breaks of
of the engines when the front wall of the theatre fell
out burying him beneath the ruins and crushing him
in most horrible manner. He was conveyed home in
dying condition The carpenter of the theatre
sleeping in the bailding when the fire broke out. Mr.
Pacde himself Obliged to escape through one of
the second story windows from his sleeping apartment
hy means Of sheet one end OF which was attached to
piece Of timber in the window.
The origin Of the fire is matter OF doubt and mys
'erysome attrbuting IL to incendiarism whic others
fHiEk IL result OF acc1uent nAVeiS nSt nlRnt
played their scenic piece entitled "Asphode," in
which good deal Of FIRE Is used-and Il is proba-
bfe spark may have ignited then, and burnt slowly
and gradually till the FIRE was discovered and the
alarm given. The scene was grand and imposing--in
fact, 1t was the most magnificent, BY far ever
represented this stage, and ut the same time
the most solemn. when the conhagration vas at its
zenith. When the flames caught the newly painted
scenery and interior Of the beautiful edfce, they
like wldfre around the dress circle, and, bursting
through every outlet, suddenly enveloped the whole
In sheet Of flame.
This is, indeed, sad calamity. and that will be
severely felt by the theatre going people Of city this
The blow falls heaviest upon Mr. Placide and
his talented company, with whom we sincerely sym
pathiac in their misfortune We hope, however that
the indomtabie spirit Of enterprise which marks
people will mot allow the flames to triumph, but that
phanx like the Varieties win rise from its ashes
and its new born form be beautiful than ever.
Every arrangement had been made by Mr.. Pacide for
brilliant and successful engagements talented compa
ny had been engagedthe services Of host Of celebri
ties secured. The building was newly painted and
seats cushioned and fortune for did to smile
upon the desnies Of the varities when this sudden
blow and vanished all the bright prospects into
thin air