The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-02
EXTENSIVE CONFEDERATION.

Destruction OF Block Of Buildings In Grand
and Tompkins streets-Loss @35,OOO-HOw
1t Originated.
The nre alarm sounding at four O'Clock yesterday
evening from all the towers In the lower part OF the
city apprsed the watchfu enemies of the destructive
element that more than ordinary attack was being
made on property, II not life. The ready engines
swept through the streets to the spot indicated the
horses bounding under the lash Of the drivers WHIP
The signals indicated Grand street as the scene OF
operations and the repeated rlngings told OF an ex
tensive connagration. The first engine arrlv.
ing In the neighborhood was at once
placed in position by the in charge, and the hose
being attached to the hydrant began to play. At this
time there seemed to be little Justify the double
alarm, but an examination Of the premises connect
ing with the particular place where the flames were
then starting out revealed the alarming fact that fire
had taken firm hold OF several buildings and was
creeping slowly and stealthy toward the rear OF the
block of houses at the corner OF TOmpkns and Grand
streets. Some few seconds after the arrival of the
first steamer large force Of hremen with their en-
gines In full working order and heavy detail of
police under Cap tain Bennett, were the ground.
Under the concentrated efforts OF the engines
the fire dipped from view for a moment
and dense cloud Of smoke filed the air, covering
the scene OF the disaster and the people standing
around the fiery engines. The check was but mo-
mentary, however. Forked flames Of angry red
burst through the canopy Of smoke and illuminated
the scene Of devastation The extent Of the re and
the imminence OF the danger were then and the
locality was properly noted.
AT the corner OF Tompkins and Grand streets 10
the wood yard Of Russell Johnson, lumber mer-
Grand street and far back from Tompkins street.
pile OF lumber was placed In the farthest part OF
It on Grand street. The most careful observer must
have seen In passing glance at the position
hood that should commentator occur in the former
those houses and the entire nelghborhood would be
exposed to serious peril. Fortunately these houses
fortunately still, the IRE in the wood yard occurred
in broad daylight else there might have been loss
It appears that about four O'Clock a number of
children were playing IN the lumber yard Of Mr.
Johnson H. about MY wards from the ONCE which
Totally unconscious OF the danger OF their acts they
continued TO play, making fires Of shavings with
them burn. They were not noticed, unfortunately,
for time, and then it was too late. The shaw.
pieces, and the flames famed by the rising wind,
rushed across the yard, licking up with ITS red
tongue an the debris In Its way until 1t reached
pile OF TIMBER which was soon in 1ames and In
few moments the whole yard was sea Of fire. Jets
OF water In such raging furnace were unavaling.
on 1t rushed, roaring over everything infammabe,
and then the walls OF the houses in Grand street
began to show signs OF distress. The private house
Of Mr.. Clarke, No. Franklin street. fell
before the onset Of the flames before the Grand
street houses began to brighten but these quickly
nnavainS or tho noris Va ua tne nIemen were
between the elements Of IRE and ato .he % n,
story building No. COZ Grand street was speedily and
W. ea Tue hale mousse NO; ooo also
in favv seconTs. ~ W .as e ueira uLnnaDaDie
and No sss bod re roo, 70 h mns M uesIUygu,
hnneas ,y,t6,n raacb nS ,bo na o. When an VIE
,,on os ,ha sa ,a ' , es anu III lhe ulrec
,n " ' fh " o'. u ien vi naa Deeh secured
ass - iIt nv .nei unnase an astenpt was maae 10
the Arc Is an,rav n, II S'li Ia s.aneu pu. uns
nroner idea of he Ios, or 70 @ ~ W nol ~ any
popeI iuea OF Tue loss or 10 ascertain the amount OF
The fao anu sns names ol ,he ohees INTERESTED
ar v ao,o"ins ho"e'e' may oe reiieu Oh as nearly
cuor,,o ,, ,o, $500. . -
tho auinn h wn wnon were 10 possession OF
OF az 600 and "a not Insured on the houses N"s
500, $685. 900 and o02 Grand street there Is a loss
aoansn ,i ~ nrge amount these houses 70