The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-29
Fire in Savannah Explosion and Loss Of
Life.

Fire I'm Savannah Explosion aud Loss Of
Life.
From the savsnoan Republican. jan. 20
A fire broke out on Sunday night last, about half
past eleven O'Clock, In small wooden store, corner
Of Congress and Barnard streets, occupied by d.
AbraLams Brother, hat and clothing merchants
and situated directly west of, and very near, the
scene Of the late FIRE. which originated in the drug
store Of Messis SOlomons Il Co. The bulldogs
south Of the corner store, facing on Barnard. and
running back to the aneas also those west, facing
on Congress street and extending to the three story
brick building occupied by Mr.. VIM. Davidson as q
gunsmith, were all of wood, one story bigh old and
comparatively worthless. They were ali destroyed
in very short time owing to their combustible ma
ture, the prevalence Of stiff breeze and the absence
OF water in the nearest cistern.
The following is list Of persons burned ont, with
statement OF their insurances DO, VIII Abrahams
4 Bro, clothug dcalere, insured for $4,000; j. j.
Maurice, dealer in stoves and tinwane, insured for
$3,000-cear loss 81 600; James Mcintyre, grocer,
insured for "a 600; +. J. Ro enburgh clothing deal
er, insured for $500; J w. Phillips, grocer, no in
surance-loss 81 600; l. Z. Byck, clothiag dealer,
insured for 500; Martin Oliver, grocers, insured
for 600; L. Pyrrick proprietor of bar room. The
buildings consumed belonged to the estates of Herb
aid kreseer, and were uninsured. We have made
every efoit, but without avail, to have no blanks in
the above statement.
About one o'clock A. H., an explosion took place
which created much CONSERVATION, aud severely in
jurtd several OF the fsemen aud bystaoders. Capt.
j. j. Waiver. first foreman of the Ger nau Fire Com
psny, received co npound fracture of the leg, was
tsfen into the house OF Mr. James Mcintyre and st.
tended by several Of our city physicisas. We deep
y resre, state that despite every effort 10 procure
reaction, bis system gave way usder the shock aud
from oss OF blood, and In aoout an hour after the
explosion he expired Capt Wayer had been on the
eroui during the de- previous - the explosion,
iivey engaged Ia bis capacity a. arenas. We re-
gIet 10 learn that lie leaves q family Almost wholly
dependent upon him for support
Mr.. VIM. MoIreli, first foreman of Washington
Fire Company, bad two fagers broken, and received
several severe Commissions from flying bricks. lie is
not seriously injured.
Mr.. ID. W. hiscally, pipeman of Washington Fire
Company was preparing to play upon the tire at the
time Il the explosion, and had the pipe bent nearly
double in his hand by missiles thrown out In the ex
plosion His escape was nerrov one.
Other persons received injuries, some being struck
by fragments Of brick and timber, or slightly buried
by falling cindtrs.
The house occupied by Mr.. Davidson. above men.
was cracked on les east side from the caves 20
the ground, by the force Of the conclusion.
As To the cause Of the explosion which occurred In
the south west corner Of the cellar Of small brick
building in the rear OF Mr. McIntyres store OF which
it Was continuation, many opinions prevail. Mr.
Mcintyre does not scem 10 have known precisely
what bis cellar contained. He states to ou reporter
that there were nineteen barrels Of high prof spirits
there, bat no powder to bis knowledge Some Of the
witpe at The Coroner's inquest on the body Of
Mr.. WAIVER, expressed the opinion that the exploding
substance was gunpowder.