New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-06-03
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE LAST NIGHT
ILLUMINATION OF HOUSETOPS
Bravery of Our Firemcn

About eight o'clock last evening grea
volumes of very black smoke were noticed
issuing from the upper window of c. H
Miller's large confectionery store, Nos. 81
and 81 Peters street, corner OF Natchez, the
same store where, three months ago, two
lads were killed by an explosion of toy
torpedoes. The building was tightly closed
iron shutters 10 the windows preventing the
flames bursting forth while fire ragged within
For full half an hour it was plain to see
that unless an immense quantity of water
could be sent in. disastrous cODfiagrati0n
would follow. Firemen were aware tina,
explosives had been stored there, and sup-
posed that some still remained, yet they
went to work as if they knew no fear.
Visitors spoke of the former explosion and
kept at distance.
Water was not scarce, and fine streams
were played, but they were of little benefit
in the beginning, as no opening was found
until men with axes and pixies broke open
the iron shutters, which seemed very Sc.
cure. After the fire had progressed few
the second story, when n heavy substance
fell to the ground floor. Immediately after
another explosion occurred in remote por-
ton of the building. These sounds did not
daunt the hrcmen, who continued their
efforts with renewed vigor.
The large stores occupied by Messrs. Nc
Farlan, Straight & Co.. commission mer.
chants, Nos. "A, As and As Peters street, be.
low Miller's, were well warmed, and when
the flames burst from the candy store roof,
their building seemed doomed, but some
we'll directed cataracts dampened the heat,
and saved the stores.
The hay and corn store of Mr.. Cofey, No.
81 Peters street, was uninjured.
When the tiremen got we'll to work they
used great efforts to confine the cOnt1agra-
tion to the confectionery, and they sue
ceeded, fighting the fierce flames even when
the hign walls threatened to tumble, regard
less of continual explosions Of rockets, fire.
peppers and small torpedoes, which sounded
somewhat like war times. The heat was so
intense as to force out the walls on Natchez
alley. sending them down with a terrible
crash. The wall fronting on Peters street
also fell, and singular to relate, no one was
harmed, although large numbers of people
stood close by.
1t is supposed that the fire originated in
the engine room. The loss can not be less
than S75 900 in building and stock. Mr..
Miller is insured in the Germania for S25, ,O0O.
Great credit is due the tremen for their
brave conduct and untiring efforts to pre-
vent a terrible loss of property. Chief En-
gineer O'COnnor informed US that had it
not been for the we'll at the corner of
Poydras and Peters streets, his brigade
would have been Of little service, as that in
stitution furnished an ample supply OF
water at the start.
The police, too, found .plenty Of work in
guarding property in the neighborhood and
watching thieves. Captain Schrieber's men
were very prompt and effective, assisting at
mint and maEipO onnd
efforts to force back idlers who interfered
with fremen.
When the ire was at its height and the
flames were bursting forth from the roof.
the housetops were brilliantly Illuminated
even as far as Camp street. Thousands Of
people focked toward the scene of the con-
hagration, but many of them could see quite
as well in the distance as they we're able to
when approaching the burning building.