The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-07

Destruction OF an Oilcloth Mannfactory NJ
Charlottesville, Queens County-LOss Esti.
mated at 100000.
One OF the most disastrous fires that have occurred
for many years took place at Charlottesville Queens
county, L. l., last night on the premises OF
Messrs. Allan, Sampson Sons. oilcloth manufac.
turers, OF that place. About halfpast ten O'Clock
last evening the inhabitants OF New York. Brooklyn
and Jersey City alarmed by great glare which
overspread the whole OF the sky, and which proved
that tremendous connagratlon was going on some
where in the vicinity. The conjectures as to the
vicinity of the fire were numerous and conflicting,
the inhabitants OF Jersey City believing 1t to be in
New York, while the New York police, on being
questioned, stated that 1t was somewhere In East
New YORK or Brooklyn. The ferryboats on the East
river were soon crowded with on anxious throng,
and the streets OF Williamsburg at midnight pre-
sented very animated appearance. large crowds
the direction or Coutnbusvtlle.
From the Information which our reporter was able
which prevailed it appears that the Are broke out
about ten O'Clock, In tour story frame
house, Before the engine which was kept on the
premises could be got to work the flames caught
another frame BUILDING which was , used as
other other inaammsble OILS Within half an hour alter
the alarm mad been given No. 8 hose car.
mage, OF Williamsburg with q large body OF
firemen was the ground, and IN the course OF an
hour the following engines and carriages arrived In
rapid succeSsOn:-NO. steam engine; No. 2 steam
engine; Nos 7, ana 4, hose carriages; engines Nos.
ana OF the new Department, Brooklyn aud No.
hose carriage. large number Of volunteer fire.
men were also soon on the spot and Chief Engineer
John ". Smith, OF the paid department., Brooklyn,
took charge, and every exertion was used to con.
quer the flames. 1t soon became evident that there
was no chance OF saving the two frame buildings.
The large quantity Of tufpenae caught fire and the
flames speedily shot up to an alarming height The
eXeltiOns OF all present were then turned to
saving the adjoining property, and we are very glad
to say these efforts were very successful third
small frame building, used office. caught fire
ron the intense heat and was soon consumed.
The estimated loss Is $25, 900 for buildings $4,000
for machinery and $50 900 stOck-tota, 100000. 1t
IS believed that great porson OF the loss is COW
cred by insurance, but the names OF the companies
could not be ascertained last night. Fortunately
there was very large available supply OF water In
reservoir at the back of the works. Had this
not been the IL is probable that the whole OF the
works. which cover Eeary four acres of ground
would have been destroyed The cause of the
fire is unknown. The frome building where
IL first broke out was covered only yesterday with
fresh coating OF tar and Of tar and gravel on the
roof The workmen engaged IN this work left about
O'Clock, and IL Is thought that they may have
left some lights about aud thus, through
their carelessness caused this lamentabe accident.
At one O'Clock this morning, the time our reporter
left the OF the disaster the lire was still burn
ing, but all danger OF it spreading had passed.