The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-26
EXPLOSION AND CONFEDERATION.

Ono Man Fatally Injnrcd-Two Others BADLY
Burned-Eiahty Thousand Dollars Worth
Of Property Destroyed-Tho Fire Continues
for Twelve Hours-Two Buildings in Fiamos.
About two o'clock yesterday afternoon barrel Of
the dangerous compound known as gasoline ex-
ploded In the basement or No. lis Maiden lane,
and almost instantly the entire building trembled
beneath the shock from basement to roof Tho
IRE extended rapidly from one barrel TO another.
explosions followed In rapid succession Th0
alarm OF fire was rung out upon the bells. and
u brought 10 the scene Of the connagration many Of
the steamers and large force or police. The base
meht contained OIL and gasoline IN large quantities,
With led Tue nte that momentary gained upon the
lremen. second alarm was sounded and ether
steamers arrived upon the ground and put on
streams. When the explosion occurred Mr.. J. w.
WheeiocK, George Shapin and ]. H. Shaw were
thrown INTO the street by the CONCESSION aud gem
tleman. sittlng In the ONCE next door, was hurled
from his char. The first three men were seriously
injured, and were afterwards taken nome by their
friends. Captain Pepper was fatally injured and
was taken 20 Bellevue Hospital. The fire Continued
To spread to the doors above but was finally gotten
unds: Hontrol and the united force OF ine steamers
employed sest !. nn a.I From nme 70 time a.
end as The steamers ceased to play Tor an instant
The sheets OF liquid dame shot upward
ana Isled sns and 1Se s ssSg' front q
OF the building was soon ope.. l3r ine
deluge OF water thrown in, and only occas.auai.ys
as IT caught. was more than one or two strea..-
thrown above the ground story. The entire base
mcnts OF Nos. us, 40 and l22 were IN flames ~
three O'Clock. and the water thrown la for the
moment killed the flame by the foyce OF the stream.
and then IL burst forth again with seemingly 70
newed power. In this manner the cOnnaXraton was
fought down I'LL after midnight the streets grew
dark and the backened windowess upper stories
o. the buildings assumed the appearance OF grin.
nlnv and eyeesS skull. The Easements constantly
vomted forth fame in spiteful. nickerin2 sheets.
and as they nied with water tile oil nOafe0
upon its surface Ia sea OF liquid fre TIL
it nearly reached the level OF the street.
sometimes Is would wash out upon the pavement,
Ia burning waves, and illuminate the surrounding
crowd OF spectators and street gdu,fas bound In
by q Gordon OF police. Then the waves
would suddenly die away under shower Of water,
the light would be cxtngutshed and the scene LEFT
In total darkness. save from the dun light OF the
street lamps or the lanterns.
At about five O'Clock In the evening pump had
been rugged TO draw the water from the cellars
that the burning oil might be borne up 10 Overno's
the level OF the street. AT midnight the fire preserve
very little difference In appearance TO that at thru.
O'Clock IN the afternoon. The total loss will, IL In
supposed, amount TO $4,000.
The first moor and basement were occupied by J.
w. Whceock s. Myers and Captain Pepper.
H. Collins, conmlssicn merchants ard lttn~
erage. The second floor, occupied by BateR
Phillips Casey, dealers liz varnishi damage s. DO
W. IL. Daily. yacht builders; loss NOS known. w.
q. h s. Boone, commission merchants; lOaD
S2,000 Third and fourth floors, occupied by
Shaw Wcatherell. dealers in rags ant
paper stock; loss not known. The estimated
loss to those occupying the basement ana
first stores ~ $4,000. The builctng owned by tho
Adams estate damaged to the eSsenr or 81 00o and
No. ia is damaged by water. Captain Sermon Pep
per resided at NO 1853 Meadow street, Hoboken.