The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-16
Fire Marshal's Investigation.
Before Justice Bogart.

THE EXPIRE CITY BANK FIRE.
Are occurred in this bank the night Of the 9th
nst caused by the unsafe construction of furnace
que used for the heating OF the bank department.
1t seems by the evidence shown by the investigat
that the furnace had been constructed by Cowles
after the erection Of the building and the sheet tin
plates forming the ue Hxed very near the athes
rrd flooring The intense heat commenced to char
) woodwork near the heater in the vicinity of the
register in the cashiers Office, where the Ore to
have first started, and up between the lathe and
plaster to the ceiling This furnace fue has been BY
several witnesses pronounced imperfect and unsafe in its
construction Mr. Dennis Harris owner OF the building,
dire cted the furnace to be constructed in the most
feet manner and believed had been done Several
witnesses testified to the great heat and smoke for
from the vicinity Of the register and the afternoon
Of the fre water had been applied the woodwork to
ITS taking fire. On several occasions water had
that the great heat would set the wood fire. Joseph
Gravel the porter testified to closing the bank at about
FIVE O'CLOCK then left and absent until between nine
and ten O'Clock when his return he discovered the
bank full Of smoke, and the premises fire. Mr. Binin
Of the bank Mr. Soh
teller, and Others all testified the appearance Of
smoke in the bank since they occupied the building and
being in too close proximity to the woodwork.
A.. .wles, furnace builder testified that he was
employ by Mr. Dennis Harris to erect the hot air fur
in the said bank about the middle Of last Septem
ber Mr. Harris did not instruct him in price, but direct
made r s built the
in his best manner, and gave II his special atten
ton for the purpose of making II secure he attributes
he firing OF the building to tbs neglect and msmanage
ment Of the porter employed to attend to the
fires and the registers he recoects being called to
mine the fues shortly after its construction and he
hen found the wood work in the cashiers very hot
that tme he explained to the porter how to manage
he registers and the furnace fire. in order to prevent
cciden BY closing the registers and opening the
water door ut the furnace. the heat would far in
crease and not having escape the wood work would
be in danger Of taking FIRE; and in this manner he feels
satisfied through not following his Instructions in the
management and regulation Of the apparatus, the
building set fire. Before putting in the furnace
fues, Mr.. Cowles says he consulted Mr. Renwck the
architect of the building and also Mr. Cyer the builder
Mr. Cowles has been for the last twenty engaged
in putting up hot air furnaces and for the last
of that period in this city and this Is the first in
stance OF FIRE occurring from furnace Of his make
and this would not have taken place had the parties in
chale followed his instructions in the management.
Mr.. Harris owner OF the building testified employing
Mr. Cowles to erect the hot air furnace in the best
but he gives his opinion that the fire caused
by the neglect OF the bank porter to follow the nstruc
tions Of Mr. Cowlts the management of the Hres and
registers.
FIRE IN DIVISION STREET.
On the LIST December fire took place in the dwelling
house OF John Desenr th No. 1887 Division street in
the two story back bedroom caused by the
Of some Of the boaroers N leaving lighted candle
near the bed clothing. The damage done amounted to
about $l00. Covered by insurance
FIRE IN FULTON STREET.
On the 9Th inst. fire took place in the carpenters
shop OF William Rogers in the rear Of No 1913 Fulton
street The investigation showed that it's origin
caused by lighted enbers falling between the hearth
stone and the flooring, burning of the tr miners and
setting fire to the floor, burning q htle completely
through The FIRE was evidently the result Of the
in which the fire in the frepla had been
used. Loss about 5000 Covered partly by insurance.