New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-11
TIE FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT

The annual report of Fire Marshal Brackett
shows that during period between the date OF Jus or
ganzat!on and Oct inclusive, osl fires occurring IN
the city OF NewYork investigated. and the 70
sord, OF res Occurring in Brooklyn during the
period defective that attempt has been made
This defect owing the vacancy existing for more
than four months past In the Office OF the
potan Fire Marshal and the mpossibty, Win tne UNI
ted force attached the Bureau Of extending their la
bors beyond the limits OF the city Of New-forE. nsas
ties compiled by the CHER Cieik OK the bureau pe''n
Ihe first table shows that OF the whole number OF
buildings damaged and destroyed 264 were brick ana u
The second table shows that IN 2o1 fires the loss
amounted to less than $500 EACH and In three instances
only the loss was upward OF 100000
The smallest loss during any one month non was IN
loss amounts to s477i and the total insurance 10 w.
TO7,97o. o.o,
the loss sustained by the Insurance companies, some
losses being covered by insurance, and some were
undoubtedly oyer-estmated and were compromised Tor
a much smaller amount than originally claimed --.
The third table gives IN alphabetical order the causes
OF the various fres In this exhibit kerosene figures
largely having been tho OF - 1cs II were caused
by rewors and 81 by the carelessness OF occupants
Tho fourth table is en- exhibit Of tho hours ct which
the several fires occurred The largest number occurring
10 D. M only one fire occurred between and m; %
fires occurred between p M and midn,ghs Inc T, r
cinot The largest number 2y were in the Fourteenth
Precinct, causing loss OF t5les. while the smallest num-
1880 The sixth table shows the date hour ana
OF the most disastrous fres which occurred ia the city
during period above referred to: or these 'nres
icen IN nunber) eight more than halt. occurred De-
tween the hours of and 4 q. N.
INCENDIARIsH.
The number Of incendiary and supposed incendiary
fires 49, large proportion Of which were IN stables
and seventeen Instances all efforts to discover the per
petrators have failed.
IL s impossible judge 20 whether this crime Is on
the account OF the absence or any pre-
yiOus statistics relative to the subject
Several fires occurring In large buildings occupied BY
parties engaged in the manufacture Of various
articles from wood have been rendered more disastrous
by the facility offered for the spread OF the flames by
OF the wooden shute slide running from top TO
bottom OF the building. and used to the shayings
from each floor To the cellar. These invariably OF
wood. As means OF greater protection, he suggests
that proper steps taken by legislative action other
wisc may seem BEST TO compel the construction OF
brick chutes outside the building where prac
tcable; open ut ths top like chimney
and with an iron door connecting with
each floor. Fires occurring In warehouses frequently
communicated from floor 10 floor by means OF the large
wehoos left entirely open protected only by ordinary
window glass easily broken by the heat, affordDg
easy passage for torch OF the ncendary This could
be uay prevented by Of iron shutter stint
lar to those used for doors Legislation upon this
subject might be productive OF good effects, and save
many thousands OF dollars to the community.