The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-30
GREAT FIRE IN BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

The Most Destructive Conf ration that Has
Occurred In tho City for Twenty Years
Loss Estimated mt Over Oae Hundred and
Thirty Thousand p0llars.
BRIDGEPORT, May 20, 1871.
At about halfpast one O'Clock on Sunday morning
Ere broke out In the lumber yard OF Beardsley 4
Wilson, situated on the docks, near the oil toll
bridge, In Bridgeport, which in its results was more
disastrous than any that has taken place in this city
for twenty years. The tracks OF the New York and
New Haven, Housatonic aud Nangatuck Railroads
pass directly through the yard, and it is supposed
spark from some passing locomotive kndled the I'M
mense piles-e5timated 10 contain 1900 900 feet OF
tie best Michigan lumber-into names., The eight
O'Clock Boston express from New York, due here
at thirty-thrce minutes past ten r. NJ, may have
shed the fatal spark which, famed by gentle wind
from the east gradually grew into flame. but not
until half-rast one A. NJ had 1t developed into any
magnitude. The alarm was sounded at that time,
ana had the iiremen been on the ground with their
usual promptness they might, with little difficulty,
have arrested the fiery 1end. AZ 1t was notwith-
standing the shouts from numerous citizens and the
ringing of bells, the engines, by some unaccountabe
means did not arrive till nearly two O'Clock, when
the flames had spread in oil directions,
ENvELopING EVERY coMBUsTfBLE OBJECT
and throwing out such intolerablc heat that when
the steamers were ready to operate they could not
U
consequence the fire had to take It's own
course. Fortunately for some half dozen vessels
moored near the dock the tide was well up,
and the little tugs two IN number. always
awake aud on the alert, succeeded In hauling them
to place Of refuge. Ten minutes more and they
could not have been saved. The New Haven depot
and Atlantic Hotel distant some twenty rods, wero
sc nsbly affected by the heat put tue current OF dir
being from them escaped uninjured. For q time
w. d. Bishops fine building, occupied by W. w
Holcomo as hardware house, was thought 10 be In
danger, the water from the engine boiling and bulb
bling as it rolled down the Mansard roo, bur- beng
constructed on ireproof principles. passed through
unscathed. The night Vas mid and beautiful, and
tho IRE, IN spectacular point OF view, was nlagnt
hcently grand. More than eight thousand people,
large share OF them ladies, were out TO behold, and
In some Instances, to lend maud. The Iery tongues
masses OF living nane; and as they reached one
huge pile of lumber, llLy feet IN height, aud alone
bidding e Of its master as Il were into mass
A COLUMN OF SOLID FIRE
shot up towards the heavens s and as It's vast pro-
ton 10 everything near II, the skin peang from the
very Races OF the 1remen, spontaneoas shout Of
rapidly increasing spread Of the flames rendered It
evident that acres OF brick and mortar were about
OF the heat was seen across the street. Two splendid
aged Gins. overshadowins what IS known as the
denly gave way to the terrible influence and Came
before the view as standing pillars OF solid glowing
copious streams Of water were showered upon 1t
being OF woo1--t vanished like burning paper The
inmates VINO We're numerous, got out without marin
Detailing them.
r. BaTtram's pork packing establishment came
next, but resisted handsomely Tor q long time.
When the FIRE reached Its contents, however, which
consisted OF 1000 barrels OF pork and hams and
some 400 packages VI lard, u new source of danger
the adjoining building, Mcneil Co., fruit dealers,
where the odor from roasting Strawberries,
oranges, onions, safdlncs, Hg5 and rasins told
story OF great and destructive rayages. Meantime
the huge piles OF lumber burned on, some OF them
as they fell sending myrlads OF cinders on erfands
looking to other chances for destruction.
j. II. Dunham's wooden building, adjoining tho
lumber yard, then took its turn, and as the fire
great tongues OF lurid name like nashes OF lightning
shot towards the heavens, forming strange and un
earthly contrasts with the glowing lumber.
AT three O'Clock two steamers from East Bridge
port came over to the rescue, and with the three
already at work kept the fire from extending
further The docks and railroad tracks were very
much damaged, the steel rails curling up ike
ten feet high, which had fallen across tito track,
rendered the passage or trains an impossibty.
The Boston "Owl Train arrived at sixteen minutes
past three with thirteen cars, but was Obliged TO
remain at the station about seven hours until the
tracks were repaired.
The bremen diu nobly, working with all their
might to save property anu arrest the IRE progress
Every steamer, too, performed well Its part the ID.
II. STERLING throwing three heavy streams.
TIE LOSSES.
SO far as we are able 10 learn tho losses are rs
| folows:--reardsley x Wilson, $4,000, insured for
:Iaooo; freaesick Bartra,a $4,000 insured noa for
ance ssooo;J. g. Durham, $4,000 insured fot 1880;
| other parties, including railroad company, $4,000.
There was no loss of life Or serious injury 20 person
l OK llIphs