Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-30
THE GREAV FIRE IN BUFFALO.
Destruction Of an Entire Block and
the American HOfeI---Three FIremen
KfIIed---Inmense Loss of Property.

The snow blockade of the Eastern trains
having been raised, we have received the
Buffalo papers, which give full particulars
of the terrible cOnfagration in that city on
Wednesday last, and We condense from the
Courier its graphic account of the disaster.
The fire was discovered in the premises
of Peter Dlehl, No. 29S Main street, about
half past four O'Clock in the morning, hav-
ing originated, as is supposed, in the cook
ing range of his restaurant. The alarm
was promptly given, and the fremen were
Immediately on hand, but they had to con-
tend with other elements and forces than
the fire, namely, fiercely driving snow, in
tense cold and gale of wind. Many of the
lines OF hose were soon frozen up and made
useless by being stuck fast to the ground
with frost. Despite the almost superhuman
efforts of the Fire Department, the flames
spread with rapidity, till the building
known as the Bernheimer Block, embracing
Conrad Sippel's clothing store, Diebrs res
taurant, R. Jenner's drug store and Van
Velsor's bakery, were consumed.
The American Hotel caught fire about
eight o'clock, and nothing could check the
progress of the fire as it madly swept
through the building. Much of the furni-
ture was removed, and Mayor Fargo and
the whole police force were on the ground
supervising its removal to places of safety.
The fire swept northwsrd, burning sever
u II - nn4S1
threatening the old Eagle Hotel, Mayor
Fargo decided to blow it up, with powder,
in order TO arrest tho spread of the flames.
This was done successfully, although its
dozen stores, shops, galleries, etc
Although the hose was frozen, compell-
ing several engines TO give over operations,
the fire was supposed to have been con-
quered by the middle of the afternoon, but
it broke out again at six o'clock in q
block beyond the gap made by the explo-
sion of the hotel. Twenty-Five hundred
feet of hose came on from Rochester, and q
score or two of iremen, but the fire ragged
until the next morning, burning itself out
in the destruction Of the block. The build
ings destroyed by this second disastrous
fire, We're occupied by the Erie County
Savings Bank Mr. Richard BullymOre,
meat store Mr.. Ransom, halter Mr..
George Gage, grocer and Mrs. Young,
milliner.
Most of theproperty in the various stores
had been removed before damage could be
done to them by the flames. The Bank re-
moved its moneys and securities bsfore the
fire broke out a second time.
The loss is variously estimated from
$3.50, GOO to 100000. The American was
valued at S25O,O There is said to be
sos, 900 insurance on it.
But the pecuniary loss is as nothing
when compared with the loss of life.
About five o'clock wall fell in, burying
three young men under the debris, namely,
James H. Subway, Assistant Foreman Of
Taylor Hose Company No. 1, W. H. Gillot
and G. H. Tiff, the latter two also mem
bers of Hose Company No. l. They we're
not taken out till eight o'clock. The But
falo press pay high and deserved tributes
to the memory of these young men. James
H. sidwsy was the youngest son of the
late Jonathan sidway, one of the piOr GERS
of Buffalo, and was twenty-five years old
at the time of his death. In all his social
relations he was great favorite and be-
loved and genial companion.
William Henry Gillet was the youngest
son of Mr.. Henry T. Gillet, and had lately
been admitted partner in the establish
ment of which his father is the head.
George Henry Tiff, son of George W.
Tiff, was nearly twenty-five years of age.
Their deaths cast deep gloom over the
entire city.