The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-03-30
The Fatal Fire in New York--Teu Persons
Rurnf.

On wednesday morning last about o'clock
tenement house in 45th street. New York
consisting OF row Of four frame buildings
ionr stories high, was destroyed by fire, aud
TWO women and eight children lost their lives
oy the disaster Tie N. y. Express says:
The buildings being Of wood, old and very
combustIble in their nature, the flames ex-
Tended upwards with alarming rapidity-and.
Notwithstanding that the flremen and police
were quickly on the spot, and made the ut
most exertions, The flames could not be checked
till the house then on fire, and four Others ad.
loiaing, were nearly consumed. OF course
the greatest excitement aud alarm prevailed
ahohgstatl the tenants, many Of whom lea ped
from the doors and windows Of their respec-
tive apartments to the ground, and thus es-
capped. Two families, however, who occu.
pied rooms on the third and fourth floors
were less fortunate; and all chances of es
Cape being cut OF, they We're burned to death
, 4 ne names OF these unfortunate families are
Bennett and Wheeler. Mr. Bennett, who is a
: able man in the employ of the Sixth Avenue
Railroad Company, with his wife and four
chiioren. occupied a back room on the ith
1ioor Mr.. Bennett was not at home at the
tlae OF the fire. and consequently his life was
saved but every member Of his family Der;sh-
ed in the flames. The firemen saw the awful
conoltlon OF the victims, and heard their cries
and impioratioDs for help, but could render
no ASSISTANCE This family might have Jump.
ed from the window but il is presumed the
reason they did not do so is thai they h0ne6
10 be rescued unharmed by the firamen and
police. The names of Mr. Benefits children
VINO perlshed by fire are, Thomas. John, Rosa.
aseo respectively II, 9 and years and an in.
Kant, name unknown. aged ! year Their re-
niias, When taken from the ruins were so
burned and charred as to be past recognition.
l ne bodies were removed to the 22d Ward
station House, corner of 18th street and Sth
avenue.
Andrew Wheeler also d laborer emnloyed
by the Sixth Avenue Railroad Com many GO
curled rooms IN the rear. on the third anor
OF the same house. Mrs. Wheeler and her
IOur I children. named Caiharine, aged ~:
iholnas, IL Mary, 4; Emily, | year of age
were consumed by the flames there being
hothlng lett OF them but Il shocking aut, mn
fecoSnizab!e mass of humanity The sight
during the IRE was calculated to sUbdue fha
nardest haarf Women and children were al
the windows, impcring those below to save
tnem, and nearly frantic with fear. lest thew
should ba oNertakan by the flames and con.
sumed. lane McNally. a sister of Mrs. Ben
nett, who lost her life. leared from fourth
story rear window to the yard, and fearfulIy
fractured one OF her thighs, besides being
ofherWlse badly hurt She was taken to the
hospital, and il is doubtful if she can recover.
inns woman was badly burned before she took
the fearful leap for life.
As soon as practicable after the fire hro,<a
ont, the members of Hook and Ladder 90 No.
Z raised ladders against the burning buildings
aud rescning the inmates from the windows
passed them to their com panious. who ia Turn
landed the rescued persons to a balcony of a
brick house. through which they safely de-
scended TO the street.