New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-10-06

BURNING OF TIC CRYSTAL PALACE.
Brilliant Close of the Fair.
Flight Of Two Thousand Visitors.
ALL THE EXHIBITION ARTICLES LOST.
THE EDIFICE UTTERLY DESTROYED.
LOSS ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
HOW THE FIRE OCCURRED.
THE EDIFICE UTTERLY DESTROYED.
LOSS ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
HOW THE FIRE OCCURRED.
Scenes and incidents.

The Crysta Palace located on Sixth avenue, be-
tvee Fortieth and Fort streets was destroyed
by fire last evening, and is heap OF ruins. About
8 O'Clock srroke wss issuing from large room
in the north nave and in front of the entrance For
~ second street and ia less than half hour there
AFTER the Palace WA total wreck, and nothing
remains Of this edifce but heap of unsightly ruins
The octsgonal turrets at each corner still remain
standing, while here and there every side may be
seen stacks Of iron the remains of sarcases and por
tons of the framework composing the galleries.
From the room above mentioned flames soon made
their appearance, and spread with incredible rspidty
in every direction There were about q 900 persons
scattered about the edifce at the time all of whom
the moment the alarm of |" fire" was raised, made
rush for the Sixth avenue entrance the doors Of which
were thrown open. The entrance ON Fortieth street
Wa closed, there being other means Of ingress or
egress except on Sixth avenue. Under the direction
Of exCapt Maynard and several of the Directors Of
the Institute the crowd Of visitors were conducted
safely to the street, and that We
have heard of in anywise injured Some
of the exhibitors endeavored to save their property
but were forced to turn toward the door and
compelled to fee to the street The amount of prop
employee Of the Institute behaved nobly. lie was
in charge of the jewery department. and was engaged
repsirng Gaze when the alarm given. He fin
shed the case and closed the door and then went to-
ward where the fire was. The smoke WAS so dense
that he almost suffocated lie saw the fire at the
Forty second street and then back to the
property that Lad been placed in his charge, which
property consisted Of quantity of watches
valued at several thousand dollars. Seizing the case
he dragged it from its fastening along the gallery,
down fyt Of stairs and thence out into the street,
the entrance ut this point having at this time been
broken open. While on his way out, the dome WA all
in flames The smoke dense that he could see
but few feet either side of him. and he il under the
in preston that he the lat man in the Palace be-
| fore the dome fell. A young man named Wallis also
in the employ of the Institute heard the alarm, and
ran toward Smith whom he desired to brosk open the
case with an Ak order that the ewery and watches
could be more readily got at, but Smith told him he
would not do ~. Wallis obliged to run to the
street the smoke nearly suAocating him.
Mr. Godfrey, visitor in the Palace, says that at 1t
O'Clock he was IN the lower part Of thc building, near
the machinery He heard the cry of fire. and saw the
women much alarmed coming down from the galleries.
He then moved under the dome, when he SAW the fire
and large volumes of smoke emansting from the vane
ard Fort y-second street By that time every one in
the galleries had got down. Some Of the employees got
stream Of water from Of the Palace hydrans bit
it seemed to have no effect The fire increased rapidly
and dense volumes of smoke and fame came from the
north part Of the edifce, and, espng mp soon enve-
oped the galleries. The door at the Fortieth-street
entrance was then thrown open which created great
draught and in less than three minutes thereafter the
interior WAS one of flames. Mr.. Godfrey then
made his escape The view from the street and neigh
boring buildings very grand and thousands OF per-
SONS thronged TO the scene Of conhagraton.
The remen of the district we're on the spot and
20 or 80 streams were thrown into the building
but no visible effect produced. Many hremen
rushed into the burning building hoping to save the
sppsratuses that were on exhibition, but they were
compellcd to retreat ON account of the dense smoke
Again and again they rushed into the edifice, and
eventually succeeded in saving the carriage belonging
to No. 40 Hose Company Empire, and the carriage OF
No. Sc Hose Company tOceanicD
The carriage of No | Hose Company tEaglel-Car-
rage of No. Hose Company tCrotonl-Ensine OF
No. l6 (;otham)-Hook and Ladder No. Mutual,
and Engine Of No. - Pacific, were destroyed
Mr. l.. d. Towley had three cases containing re-
volvers on exhibition and present at the time the
alarm was given, and had his little son with him.
| Taking his boy to the door, he told HIM TO
STAY there until his return. Mr.. Towey then
went ali around the building and returned
| To his cases one Of which ne picked up and
carried out He then went after his son, bnt was un-
able now on account oi the dense smoke, to again
return to his pr perty and ii was consequently de-
s,roved Mr.. TOwley SAW an old man who was 'anie'
i'll the picture gallery near the door, and he thinks tst
no one could have been injured The old man had tue
furthes, to walk, and those not afflicted as he WAS
were nearly out when he reached the door.
Mr.. T. SAWS that it was l6 minutes past o clock
when the dome ELL When he first saw the fire, 1t WA
| not larger than his hand, and in moment OF two
thereafter large volumes of smoke made their appear
ance The room in which the fire originated contained
large quantity of models and other property that was
ON exhibition at the Worlds Fair, and the Directors OF
the Institute wer under bonds not TO disturb anything
therein or occupy the apartment as long As the prop
erty was in dispute between the city and the original
getters mp of the exhibition.
There was rumor that the Palace had been set on
fire. and in fact this was very general, and
talked about in every direction. Some said the gas
leaked and that the escaped gas gned but this idea
was scofed at Numbers assert that there was strong
| smell of camphene turpentine from the room, and
that No such volumes Of smoke could be caused other
wise than by the ignition Of turpen;ne It's said that
a man was seen coming from the room with his coat
collar turned over the back of his head in order TO dis
cuise himself. The party, il is said is known, and
| will no doubt be- arrested at early moment.
Hundred. Of persons still fingered about the spot I'M
I'll late hour last night, walking about the ruins and
talking over the matter The ruins presented strange
appearance Here and there were spots of fire which
every now and then would blaze up, illuminating thc
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