New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-16
TERRIBLE COMPLICATION.
BURNING OF THE STATE LUNATIC ASYLUM

From The Utica Ob,eyrer Of Tussday Erenirg.
The New-York State Lunatc Asylum, located in
the western part Of the city. was found to be on fire
This morning. The flames were discovered about 7
O'Clock bursting from the dome or cupola exactly in
the center Of the building. The alarm was giYen and
in few minutes the West Utica Engine No. was on
the ground. 1t was then discovered that there was
almost an entire deficiency OF water on the premises
The building stands upon HILL and about , 900 feet
from the Erie Canal the nearest source ftom WHICH a
sufficient supply Of water could be obtained. well
Of considerable capacity finally found in the Of
the Asylum, from which No. drew stream which
wr, carried to the roof and poured on the fire.
In the mean time ine nre was working its way down
10 the basement Of the building and gradually extend
ing into the wings. The heat was excessive, and the
element bid defiance TO the paltry efforts OF single
stream of water. The most fearful feature OF the
scene however, was the awful cry Of the lunatics-
500 or GOO in number-whO were inmates OF the build
iIg The men, who are kept in the right wing, were
comparatively quiet; but The screams and antics Of
the females in the len wing were appalling. The
larger portion uttered heart-rendng cries for relief
many howled prayers at the top OF their voices while
others made the air vocal with crazy aud unntellig
bic sopgs. Many of the females were finally removed
TO grove in the rear Of the building, while the men
were marshaled in order for en- instant departure,
should circumstances require It.
Lines of men were formed in the third story Of the
left wing who passed pals OF water from reservoir
in the extreme end Of the wing, aud rendered valuable
service in preventing the fire from extending through
the attic Of that portion of the building This was
continued until the singl stream OF water in use Was
brought to the quarter, when 1t discontinued
While engaged in throwing water upon tie fire. and IL
saving the furniture, several men were severely
burnt and injured, the details OF which are gwen
below.
The well which supplied No. soon gave out, and
the only remaining means OF saving the building was
by procuring water from the Eric Causl, 2OOO feet
distant. Two Of our best engines being necessarily
undergoing repairs, left but two in working order,
which were entirely insufficient for the purpose.
Telegraphc dispatches were sent 70 the neigloorh.
villages for aid which was promptly rendered. Inc
New-York Mills aid WhitesbOro engines were coon
on the ground, while two engines from Rome, fully
manned, arrived about the same time he Rome
engines were brought down BY locomotive OF me
WATERFOWL road occupying only IL minutes IN coming
tie IL miles. At later boar two engines Ron i'tlS
Falls and one from Heikimer arrived and contributed
their ASSISTANCE. With this aid two streams were
brought from tie Eric Canal and thrown on Tue IRE
with great effect Steam was also got up 10 ,he Doier
attached to the Asylum, and foi ced into al he io"et
stori.s. At the time we left the scene, about ii
O'clock it was hoped that the fire wou,a oe eonIneo
TO the central portion OF me man onS hs u,a
entirely burned out and that the wings "o1o NC pre-
served comparatively unipjnred. ,,.,
Our own fremep, and those ofreigbooring villages,
who SO promptly volunteered, are entiied 10 very
great r their So h.%s the will and IL means
TO make good use Of it, the difficulty Of reaching the
fire from the hight OF the building, win The Intense
heat Of the day. made their labor acy out agree
able. Notwithstanding all thus tncy %GfkeG r IKE
heroes, ard made the most ot me opportunities oeieu
for extnguishipg the FIRE.
Deputy Sheriff Kurck Was promptly Oh hand, ard
appointed large number Of deputies to preserve the
nmenie amount OF property lying exposed. Our
military companies also promptly ,hs
for tie same purpose Everything that could be doae
by fremep. military, and citizens, was done:
vary general feeling Of surprise hn;ld was felt st the
tnguisbment Of fires. There seemed 40 reservoirs,
except il the extreme wirgs, force pumps, no ar
Iano NET &, Hoc.ns The building whateyer. No