The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-24
Destructive Fire In San Francisco.

rom the san tr8nclbcO Herald June Ii
At thee o'clock yesterday morning fire broke
out in the cellar Of house on Dupont street. in the
square bounded by Dupont, Kearny, Vallejo and
Broadway streets, and occupied by N. Wegner &
Go. Owing to the raising of the buildings at this
spot to correspond with the grade, considerable
frame underworld had been constructed, which af
forded fuel to the flames, and they had made cons-
derable progress before the alarm was given. The
hour too was such that but few persons were stirring
at the time and it was not until the City Hall bell
sounded the alarm that fremen and citizens com.
menced to assemble in sufficient numbers to render
efficient service. The engines Of Vigiant Company,
No .. and Pennsylvania Company, No. II, whose
houses are nearest to the spot were the first on the
ground Unfortunately, however, the suction hose
of the latter being out of repair, she not able to
60 to work until supplied with water from another
machine. The other engines came up promptly,
and stationed at the reservoirs at the corners
Of Dupont and Broadway, and Dupont and Vallejo,
the only two cisterns convenient, and neither OF
which contained o full supply of water.
From Weigner's house the flames rapidly comn1u.
ncated to the adjoining houses, and then commenced
to spread in the rear, and extended to the building
the little alley the west side of the county Jail
Buildings two sides of this institution were at one
time on fire, and would have soon communicated to
it but for the daring exertions of the remen, who
were defending it. Companies Nos. IL, L, and s
were doing duty at this point At one time the walls
of the prison became quite heated and the prison
ers. of whom there were about ITO confined in the
cells betrayed the greatest ALARM and duplicated
to be released. The Sheriff with his deputies and
number of fremen were on hand ready to remove
them in case of necessity But there proved to be
no occasion for it.
In the meantime the fire had, on the other side,
crossed Hinckle street, little street running from
Dupont to Kearny, and caught the Eagle Soda Wa
ter Mandatory, fine building lately erected by
Messrs. Chase & Co. From that point to Kearny
street. and on the north side of Hinckle there was
possibility Of arresting the fire, and every build
ing within that space was burned to the ground.
While the fire was at its height along here, consider
able danger was threatened to the other side Of Val
!eo street, on account Of the great volume of fame
and . light wind which sprung up at that time
from the southwest. Blankets and buckets of
water were freely applied to the smoking caves and
fronts of the houses on the north side of Vallejo
street, one of which was occupied by Senior Del
Vale, the Mexican Consul A stream of water from
engine No. 10, did great service here, and probably
prevented the fire from crossing the, street. The
Eeat from the threatening flames was great that
the ppeholder had to be protected by holding doors
between him and them. Had the fire once crossed
here. it would have done immense damage for that
locality is thicky built up with frame houses and is
almost beyond the reach OF water. The effective.
ness Of the fire department was considerably i'm
paired by the want of water. The two cs.erns above
referred to were the only ones convenient, and final
ly those at the corner of Broadway aud Stock
ton, Vallejo and Stockton, Greene and Dupont, AMI
Pacific and Dupont streets had to be resorted to,
thus requiring two engines to convey stream to
the fire. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the ef-
forts of the remen gave another proof of their gal
lantry and efficiency. The other engine and hook
and ladder companies, not mentioned above, did
gallant service, and we have heard of number Of
instances of their daring and energy, which wei
not the space to particularise.
In the block bounded by Dupont, Pinkney Place,
Hinckle and Broadway streets, twenty-five tene-
ments OF different descriptions were consumed. In
the block bounded by Hinckle, Broadway, Kearny
and Pinkney Place, six tenements. In the block
bounded by Pinkney, Dupont, Hinckle and Vallejo
streets one building, the soda water mandatory Of
Cudworth Co., consumed and another partially
burned.
The block bounded by Hinckle, Vallejo, Pinkney
and Kearny, comprising thirteen tenements was
totally destroyed The following is an estimate Of
he