The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-02
CALAMITY BY FIRE.
Terrible Loss Of Life in Williamsburg-AM Mother
and Two Of Her Children Suffocated-
The Fire Marshars Investigation.

Near midnight Wednesday a fire occurred In the
three story frame building corner OF Graham avenue
and McKIbben street. Williamsburg, which resulted
fatally to o mother and two OF her children, her
husband and a third child narrowly escaping with
their lives.
The first Moor of the building was occupied by
James Nelson as lager beer saloon and the second
ana third floors were respectively occupied by the
families OF John wlegand (owner OF the house, and
Clement Gambsk.
originated In the saloon which was closed, Nelson
and his wife being absent at picnic. The exist
euce OF the fire was first discovered by the family Of
Mr.. Wiegand, who were awakened by a volume Of
smoke pouring into their apartments and they hur-
redly vacated the place in their night Clothes some
OF them reaching the street with difficulty. Their
cries. as well as the smoke, soon aroused
THE SLEEPING FAMILY
Of Mr. Gambek on the third story and their cons ter
nation was SO great OH awakening from sound
sleep in the midst OF such that they appeared
to have lost all presence of mind. Mr. Gambek
finally took his oldest child In his arms and telling
his wife TO follow HIM with the two other children
made his way down to the rear extension on fire
escape and thence to the yard. He then made
AN EFFORT TO RETURN
for the rest Of his imperilled family, but was pre-
vented, partly by the smoke and fame and partly
by number OF citizens who by that time had
reached the scene. AnXiously the stricken husband
ana father peered through the dense smoke to catch
glimpse OF his loved ones, but he never saw them
again alive. An hour later
THEIR BI.ACKENED BODIES
were brought out OF their bedroom by the fremen
and police and removed to the station house In
Stage street. They all had the appearance OF hav-
ing been suffOcated before the fire reached them.
All the children were girls the eldest lwho was
saved) being ten years OF age. and the youngest
Coroner Whiehill yesterday and he will hold an In
quest this evening and attempt TO ascertain the
origin of the ere. which Is at present a mystery.
LOSSES BY THE FIRE.
John Wiegand, owner Of the building In which the
fire originated, estimates his loss at $4,000; insured
fer S 90 in the Williamsburg city Company. Mel.
sons loss is placed at $1,000. the Gambek family
lost their all. The flames were principally confined
10 The Interior Of the building.
THE ADJOINING BUILDING,
occupied as dry goods store by Alexander Vert
helm. and by two families on the second and third
sto les, also took fire, and to save il the fremen
wers compelled 10 pour large volume OF water
into 1T, causing considerable loss TO stock and urnl
ture Mr. Westhelm estimates his loss on building
aud stock at $1,000; fully insured In the Williams
Ourg City and American Exchange Companies The
tenants on the second aud third stories lost con-
siderably IN the destruction OF their furniture.
The following testimony was taken before
FIRE MARSHAL READY
touching the origin or the Ore. John Wlegand, the
son OF the owner OF the building in which the fire
originated, tesded:-l live at The corner OF Graham
avenue and Boerum street. BROOKLYN, +. D.; about
ha-past eleven O'Clock on Wednesday night was
called up BY cries Of fire, and went at once down
stairs and on looking back towards the rear of the
building saw the DANES issuing from the back
occupied by Mr. Nelson the keeper OF the lager
beer saloon; when came down the flames were all
Ia The back room Mr.. Nelson, the proprietor OF the
sa09a was ont a. the tine saw ham 90 out aGot
know how the hie commenced; II was all confined