The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-29


Large Cenaaxratisu In the Highland Distr.c ct
Five Tenement Houses Burned-Narr,. wv Es-
cape Of rho Inmates. Nwn
From the Boston Evening Transcrir,t, July 27.1
At $3.50 A. N. to-day three alarr. "a In quick sue
cession were given from box 2i followed imme-
dately by another from box 20, for the purpose Of
craving eS every aysiiah.e tre engine to the High
many to think thai dsnger threatened large and
inhammable Dstrict, and thousands OF persons
wendell their TASTY way southwark to view what
dense smoke promised--an extensive fire. They
were by n5 means disappointed, az what follows
will shgw, and an opportunity was afforded IN
addition Of witnessing the heroism of the fire.
men, which has never been displayed to better
advantage since the fire department was organ
ixed
The fire first appeared in the centre of long
wooden building situated on Zimmerman street,
running parallel with row OF wooden tenement
houses facing on the east side Of Harrison avenue
The building was formerly known as Webber's
Ropewalk, and was occupied by Joseph Nicker-
son q Co., shipchandlers, for the manufacture of
material in the structure, which is supposed
to have become ignited by friction in the ma
chinery.
The flames spread to both ends of the slightly
built structure with lightning like rapidity, and the
infammable nature of the stock fed them at q rate
that put all idea of checking beyond human CON-
prehension. To add to the dismay of the nhabi-
tants and the crowds who gathered at the first
being Of wood and of cheap constructiOn-even to
Washington street, seemed doomed, as a strong
easterly breeze sent the flames in an almost hort
zontal direction towards them.
Every family to the leeward Of the burning mass
at once turned their attention to the removal Of
their effects, and the streets and vacant lots in
every direction were soon filled with every con-
ceivable article of household furniture which were
surrounded by hundreds of men and women and
children in every stage of frantic excitement.
Such was the condition in which the fremen
found the neighborhood when the first engine ar
rived upon the scene. The rOpewalk was almost
entirely consumed, and the fire had firm hold upon
the tenement houses that separated it from the
avenue. COZ .
The first companies to arrive placed their appa-
ratus directly in the face of the fire, on Harrison
avenue, and though the heat was intense, by the
display of great fOrtitude under every difficulty
bravey maintained their positions and battled the
flames with almost unexampled energy. They evil
IDENTIFY had East Boston in their minds, and knew
that what was to be done must be done quickly.
Their exertions for the time, however were un.
availing. The five tenement houses--three Of
Ryan of Jamaica Plain, and one to Thomas Moo.
nan, who resides near-were quickly consumed
and the flames several times caught the block be-
longing to Mr.. Mullane, on the opposite side of
the avenue, corner of Zimmerman street.
The safety of this block was mainly due to the
activity and heroic conduct Of the company at
tached to Eagle Engine No. 8, who maintained
their stand at the corner of Zimmerman street, de-
that lowered over and about them. The hosemen
alternated their stream between the fire and their
engine, first playing upon one and then on the
other to keep the machinery from overheating,
the engineer during the time being compelled to
use his cotton waste in order to handle his valves.
At this juncture the department was heavily re-
inforced from South Boston, Dorchester, East Bos-
ton and the city proper, and long lines Of hose
were soon laid to bear upon the fire from every
direction. In TACT in travelling over the district,
it seemed as ifthe hose that trpped the pedes
TRAN at every step formed complete network
SO frequently did the lines cross at every concev
able angle.
But even the most strenuous endeavors of this
large force unequal to the task of saving the
large stone building on the opposite side of Hun
neman street, on the southeast corner of Harri-
son avenue. 1t belonged to Nckerson & Co.. and
it well known by all in the vicinity that it had
been recently reftted with much valuable ma
chinery, besides being heavily stocked with hemp
and other similar material
work of preventing the spread of the flames to the
hundred or more wooden buildings lying between
Harrison avenue and Washington street were d.
rected to save this structure, with its valuable
contents.
The roof from exposure to the hot sun for days
and even weeks, was in the best condition for
quick combustion, and the fire soon made it
complete wreck, despite the large volumes of
water that were poured upon it, 1t fell in with
crash, carrying the cracking flames to the hemp
on the upper floor.
At this stage of the fire, it having then burned
less than half an hour, the engineers felt assured
that they had effectualy checked the flames from
again crossing the wide avenue, and the whole
force at their disposal was directed to the stone
building.
But the hemp was well on Gre, which soon
worked its way through the floor. Not many
minutes elapsed before the floor fell through, and
the red hot mass of hemp and burning timbers
we're mingled with the costly machinery, which
had been but short time before in full operation
IN he ma act tn hat in
the room above. -
All the water that could be obtained-and the
supply was by no means short-continued to be
poured in upon the fiery heap but all hope of
saving the engine and numerous machines from
total disablement was gone.
Another hours hard work suficed to extinguish
the smouldering ruins, during which time the hook
men were busily engaged in tearing down the few
wooden walls that kept their perpendicular and
Overhauling the debris that showed signs of re-
kindling.
Nearly all-landlords tenants and spectators
breathed signs of relief when they became aware
that the danger was over and realized the narrow
escape the neighborhood had had from what ap.
peared at first certain humiliation. Praises Of
the Fire Department for their promptitude, good
judgment and efficiency were heard from every
lip, and the mutual congratulations among the
fortunate and commiseration with the unfortu-
nate denizens of the vicinity were numerous and
heartfelt.
The losses cannot amount to much less in the
aggregate than $4,000, of which about $4,000
will fall upon the cordage company. They have
recently put in large amount of the latest i'm
proved machinery, which, together with that on
hand previously, is worth $50, 00O The new stock
Of hemp, the principal portion of which was
stored in the stone building, was valued at be-
tween SIS 900 and $4,000. Ks
The stone structure was Of considerable value.
The walls are standing In good condition, but the
rebuilding of the interior will probably cost
$4,000. The long rope.walk was of compare
lively slight value-the highest estimate placing
it at 81 900. Nickerson & Co. are insured for
about SAC, 900, divided among the Hide and Leath-
er, Independent fremont, Firemen's and New
England Offices of Boston, Sun, of Cleveland,
Merchants, of Chicago, Fame, of Philadelphia,
and others, in various amounts. The loss
falls severely upon the firm, as 1t stops
their work in the busiest season.
Mr.. Dennis Muane's loss on his three tenement
houses is not much less than $4,000, and his in
surance will not more than half cover it. They
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