The true Democrat., 1854-05-16
The Late Fire in New York

FIFTEEN OR SIXTEEN KILLED ON THE SPOT,
 The New York Herald, of the 27th ult, says the N. o. Picayune, which we received yes terday one day in advance of the mai gives lengthy further particulars of the terribly dis astrous fire on the night of the 25th We condense its account of the catastrophe:
 The cause of the fire is still unknown, but is attended with very suspicious circumstances inasmuch as it broke out in the highest storvof the building, where we understand. no fire Ivos used, and none necessary.
 In few minutes after the commencement of the confagrotion all hopes of saving the burning building being relinquished, the aim was to prevent the spread of the fire to the ad. joining houses To do this it was necessary to carry hose pipe to the top of these buildinoS where they could be used to most advantaop For this labor two tiremer, with coil of rope leaped upon the roof of Mo- 233, next to that on fire, and sending one end of their rope to the ground, it was fastened to the hose pipe which they drew up to the roof These men were engaged in this work for at least fifteen minutes, during all which time the flames were mounting high above their heads, and career. ing their way by the force of the wind fire. quently the very fire stretching out its missing tongue, wrapped itself around them. This was all performed in the open sight of the immense crowd below, who waited with feverish anxiety the result of the work. Hundreds turned away their gaze, unable to witness the extreme peril of these daring men. The wall of build ing No. 235, rising high above them, confined them to their position. At length the pipe was in their hands, and being sent up to others on the roof of No. 235, these men left their place in safety, and the crowd below breathed treer when they were gone. This is only one of the many scenes of peril which were wit messed.
 The police, headed by their chief were on the ground, and did good service. MT. Matsell as soon as he arrived at the scene of conhagra- ton, understood that apprehensions of danger from entering the building were entertained by many, and to satisfy himself an aid was sent ill the upper stories as far as he could 20, to re- connoitre He reported that there was a heavo safe in the upper stories, and the inside of the building would probably fall when unexpected. The chief immediately ordered every man un- der him to leave the building and the last body of men had just stepped outside the doorsili. when the crash was heard which was fraught so heavily with death. At the time this order was given the chief had about seventv-fve men in the building, most of whom were no doubt saved from death by this timely inter- ference of their commander. Mr. Matsell him. self was among the most active on the ground, and had his coat nearly scorched from his back.
 THE FALLING OF THE WALL.
 It was after the fire had encompassed the entire building and portion of the fremen had moved through small alley-way to the rear, to work more advantageously, that the wall fell, crushing so many to death and maim- ing others for life. The iron safe in the fourth story, of which the fremen knew nothing now fell, carrying the wall with it, as if trap set tor death, and now sprung at the most oppor- tune moment of destruction. The wall, in its descent, not only crushed those who were on the ground beneath 1t, but on each floor were several who came down with the crash, and were common sharers in the disaster The building had a rear extension on each floor. two stories hgh and the crash carried down all in front of this addition, as if a knife had cut the building midway, the fore half falling to the ground, and the rear remaining Thus it will be seen there was dividing line between the half of the building falling and that left standing. All across this line towards the street went down, and only those who were for tunate enough to be on the rear side of this line were saved. Alderman Howard was stand ing on the rear, toeing the dividing mark, so to speak, when the falling ruins almost grazed his body, leaving him standing upon the edge of one of the rear floors.
 ! Immediately those at hand jumped upon ! the ruins amid the smoke and flame, to give to the sufferers all the relief possible Sad to relate, in a short time another portion of the wall fell, burying the rescuers
 ! The scene at this time it is not in the power of the pen to describe. The plaintive cries of the dying for help, the excitement of the com panies outside, the energetic action of the res cuers all combined to make up a picture to appal the stoutest heart
 The number of killed and missing is esti- mated at sixteen.
 The number of the wounded is estimated at thirty, of whom three were not expected to re- recover, and four or five others received very serious injury.
 SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
 Among the melancholy incidents of this disaster, is the case of John B. ODonnell, one of the members of engine company F, and son of Coroner ODonnell, is about twenty-two years of age, and has but lately joined the fire department, in which he soon became remarka- be for intrepidity and daring He was, we are informed, among the first at the fire on Tues day night, and was engaged in saving the pro- perty, with his brother fremen when the rear wall fell and buried him under it's ruins. This occurred about o'clock, and 1t was not till the following morning when he was extricated. For eight long and painful hours was he lying under large beam of timber, while the flames threatened every moment to consume him. He was nearly an hour in this position before his cries for assistance were heard, and dur ing that time each minute appeared an age in duration : His first intimation that his friends were near, was slight knocking over his head, and never did noise sound more sweet to hh- man ears.
 "Is. that near you?" said brother fireman. "No," replied the poor sufferer; "a little fur ther on; and fo1 heavens sake make haste, or will be sufocated." ''Are..we. near you now" said several voices, as another knock was given, "Not yet" "Now?'' "Yes, you are directly over me- Quick, quick I can't stand this much longer.'
 A hole was soon cut in the floor over hs head aud through it he could be seen envelop,, ed in smoke, while the flames had approached so close to him as to scorch his clothes. "The 1nltN Tr1yyn N L