New-York daily tribune., 1858-08-19
TIE FIRE IN THE CITY HALL.

Tue frs which broke out in the City Hall at l2i
o'clock on Wednesdsy morniog, has not resulted sods'
estrously as was at first thought The cupos was en-
trey destroyed aud the upper story greatly damaged
This aoor which directly under the root, con-
tanned come half dozen rooms, used Principally as
jury rooms and places OF storage for old books and
public cdccumeLts. The Mayors office and other public
ofices being in the wings Of the edce escspsd uuin.
iured fave by water; the damsge il this particular
however being slight. \ large portion OF the roof
surrounding the cupols burned, and the total dam
age to the edfce is estimated az 5000 or $50 900.
The rsmen lsbored in the most energetic marner and
il WAS only through their exertions that the hsmes
were prevented from communicating with the wings.
The building next morning, presented an unseemly
sight. The vestibule is covered with cnders, ashes
and portions Of the cupoa, all o. which fell through
the large dome the main stairway. The portraits
Of the Governors the State in the Governors Room
rot materially injured, although the csliog aud
walls Of the apartment sustained great damage.
The columns supporting the cupOs over the fire
alarm bell were nearly burned through, and had the
fremen no. succeeded in mastering the flames as they
did, the structure and the bell would in all probability
have been destroyed The clock was entirely destroyed
in the fall of the cupols IL valued at g. 0OO and
placed in the Hal two or three years ago on trial.
Subsequently the Common Courcl purchased it, the
makers taking the old clock.
The City Hall was commenced in 1903 and finished
in 1872, at an expense OF $4,000 exclusive of the
furniture. lis length is 2l6, depth l05 feet and hight
ii feet. The cupols in which was the illuminate
clock from the center Of the roof surmounted by
colossal figure Of Justice, holding in her right hand
bssrce and in her le sword pointiog to the grouod
The basement floor was used Offices by Commissioner
ofRepsirs and Supplies Deputy Sheriff. Mayor Squad
Fire Telegraph, Keeper Tsylors rooms, and portion
was being fitted up as Court for Justice Welsh. On
the rs. ste ny was the Mayors Office Commissioner Of
Jurors Office, Offices Of Clerks of Aldermen aud Coup
cilmen Sherifs Office, County Clerks Office, City
Library, and other Offices. The second Hoor contained
the Governors Room meeting rooms of the Aldermen
and Councilmen First and Second Parts Of the Court of
Common Pleas Naturalz s.ion Office and other offices.
The upper floor contained rooms the use Of which has
been before stated. Only family that Of Mr. Tsy-
lor, Keeper of the Hall, resided in the edfce. The
greater part Of his furniture wa removed when the
alarm was given.
Shortly aAer the fire broke out fears were entertain.
ed that the records Of the Common Pleas of the Saer
IFS cfcs, Of the County Clerks Office, of Mr.. valsn-
tines and Mr. McClenschans Offices and the Offices of
other departm ents of the City Government would be
destroyed. These fesrs encouraged by the fire.
men, who supposed that the base Of the cupola would
be burned before the upper portion, aud that the fall
OF the structure would scstter FIRE throughout the
wings. liz anticipation CT such an occurrence numbers
Of men were stationed in the different offices, 90 that
everything Of value in the way Of pubic documents
could be removed st q moments warning. Many val
liable books were removed from the Sheriff Office a.
en- early moment. Fortunately the tower remained
standing until il entirely consumed and no fire
was communicated to the stories below except what
fell ha-mlessy through the dome upon the marble
staircase and main hall
Asny theories are atoat regarding the Commence
NEXT Of the FIRE, the most likely Of which Is TIA. the
uLconsumed portion Of the FIRE works falling upon the
reef were allowed TO remain there unextinguished and
that they ign:ed the woodwork at the b.se Of the
cupola, and the fire eating gradually inward gained
considerable hesdway before tie a.rm wss given.
At tie first discovery it wa supposed that the FIRE
could be put cut with few pss Of water but criti-
cal examination revealed the TACT that the flames were
burning furiousiy under the cupols.
When propoeidon wa made TO illuminate the Hall,
Aldermen Tucker and Adams opposed strsnuouslyon
the ground tina: it unsafe and had their protesta
tons been needed he City would have been saved
oss Of $50 or -, 900.
REHABILITATION.
Beginn rg With the basement room, No. /, formerly
occupied BY the Chief Of Police, and now by Justice
Wesh's Court, Wa wet, but sus.aine no damage.
No. 3, Office Of the Mayors squsd, was also wet, but
no; injured. Tie pspsn were Il locked up 10 the
drawers
Theshsrf Offices, No. 4, basement, and VI, ii first
floor, were rot ipjlred-rot even vet.
No. IL, basement, occupied BY tie Join. Committee
Of tie Common Council Accounts, ~as not damaged
Some water rAn down rom tie Coua:y Csrk's Office,
bu' ae psos-s were al locked Up in tie sIs.
M. ta-sEta:, 4-s ~sgraph aai repor.ep ro,m.