The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-05
TIE TEA IRE COMIQUE BURNED.
.os. Abo.t Txe,, az Thousnnd DeIIars..

Loss About Twe,. ty Thousand Dollars.
At half-past three ocl. 'ck yesterday morning the
Theatre Comique No. 5Is roadway, was discovered
to be on fire. Before the q ames were sUbdued the
building was damaged to the extent OF $4,000.
The theatre was closed on Thursday evening at
the usual hour, after the depGl ture OF large au
dience which had been in attendance The lights
were extnguished, the employ4s departed IN
the wake Of the patrons, and by twelve
O'Clock the only occupants of the stru Cture
were the porter, whose business 1t Is 10 keep the
furnace heated, and the watchman, who resides on
the premises Hours passed and nothing Occur red
to alarm the two occupants OF the building. :, The
watchman fell into quiet slumber, while the fl &c
man attended to lis duties.
THE FIRE.
At forty minutes after three O'Clock Che alarm bells
sounded and few minutes later several fire compa-
niles were in attendance and endeavoring TO arrest
the flames. Doors fell before the axes Of the ener-
getic nremen; mirrors were broken in the endeavor
to get on streams OF water; nremen entered
the sanctty OF the parquef. the dress
circle and green room; hose was stretched through
the windows; axemen hewed down Partitions and
knocked nats into spllnters and before four O'Clock
that in the meantime destroyed chairs. curtains,
cushions embroidery and carpets. The efforts o Lhe
Extended through the Ceiling to the circle
and spreading out its hundred arms, enveloped she
walls -, invaded the boxes swept arS 1,l,
curtain, fats and other combustible material that
invited It's approach. Lingard's sanctum was mol
spared; his rich wardrobe was scorched, smoked
and burned. Holmes and Raymond's effects met
similar fate and even the delicatey formed fabrics
OF the lady members Of the company n0ts spared
In brief time the entire second story was in flames,
and still the fire ragged with increased fury. BY five
O'Clock the body OF the theatre was mass OF fire
and smoke, and by six O'Clock the fire had been
tlnguiShed, but the theatre had become q complete
wreck. Several OF the adjacent rooms We're par
m Or GO
water.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The fire originated from the heater at the 0f
the auditorium. The iue extended through the wall
from the furnace and was recently repaired anu
considered perfectly safe The names spread
rapidly along the fresc0ed walls to the balcony 'front.'
and from this they extended almost instantly 10 the
upper part OF the auditorium and stage. The lct
drop, scenery and other light tracery were mass OF
fire when the 1remen entered the vestibule of ta.
building
THE LOSSES.
The building was owned by william ii. Holdeu.
of No. 112 Chambers street, whose loss will -reaCG
$4,000 or 800o He is said to be insured In various
companies for $24, 0OO This building was formerly
known as the Crosby street synagogue. anu alout
five years ago was transformed into q theatre Win
the addition OF a frontage on Broadway. 50 tlatat
now extends through the block. Some time agols
occupants, who have expended about 5000 on in
provements The loss OF White Spencer Will Is
fully s., 0OO upon which there Is insurance.
The wardrobe OF the company was more or iess
damaged by fire and water. Mr.. Llngards los
about $780, Mr.. Holiness 500, Mr.. Raymond's Sl@s
and Miss Lena Hurn's $500. The loss OF other mem
bers OF the company Is about $780, The orchesi-s
lost about $500 worth OF music and instrtnefts
making the total estimated loss by the fire orG'
$4,000.
It is understood that the lease Is not vtiated us
less the theatre Is totally DESTROYED ano that -
theatre Will be rebuilt soon possible and oper~
tiOnS resumed.