The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-29
FIRE IN BETHUNE STREET.

Three Buildings DestrOycd-'The Danger "a
the Surrounding Neighborhood.
At four O'Clock yesterday morning o fire broke out
on the first moor or the three story brick building
45 Bethune street, about half way down the block
between Washington and West streets. II extended
in less than fifteen Minutes to the adjoining build
ings, and completely destroyed Nos. A. Al and 80.
When first discovered by Waterman who was in
charge Of factory on the opposite slde street
the fire appeared to be only light being used by
some one IN the planning mill OF frame 4 Shoemaker,
but
THE FLAMES SPREAD so RAPIDLY
that the policeman on post In the neIghborhood was
attracted by Them, and, going to The place to ex.
anime It, he found that dangerous fire had
started IN quantity Of shavngs close to the door
that led into the machine or the building. The
alarm was given and an engine was almost I'M
mediately on the spot but IN less than half hour
the buildings were Quilted. Several theories were
started as to the cause OF the fire
walk while the engines were playing upon
II yesterday morning. some SAID the fire was the
suit Of accldent, and others commended it was case
OF incendiarism. one very suspicious circumstance
Is that the fire starred In quantity OF shavings
which were so situated That the whole place In
q blaze before any assistance could be got Another
feature that looks unhealthy the close proximity
OF the buildings TO each other and the quantity Of
wood about them. The buildings that have been
burned front on Bethune street. and one OF them ran
back about half way through the block. The n0ors
were
USED AS WORKSHOPS
ana the basementof 43 aud As was filed with ma
chinery, which Is now covered with water. Almost
paint and putty factory OF Jonn Budd when fronts
on Bank street. From the extension door opens
INTO tne zane way that leads from Bank street INTO
the building on Bethune street. Close TO this door
quantity OF snavngs mad been placed at the foot OF
one OF the san cn forming the frame and SEE
foot Of the support, however, before the
fire went out. From the appearance OF the
as nothing OF the wooden extension is burned but
the end Of the support. The ashes and parJlces OF
the shavings remain, however, IN sufficient quantity
20 show that something like q nre was started at
that place. IL was very fortunate circumstance
that the night was mild, wltnout strong wind for
almost the entire nelghOorhOOl Tor blocks Is taken
up with factories In which
LARGE QUANTITIES OF WOOD
are used. On The corner Of West ana Bank streets
there Is large paint factory, IN wnicn there are
hundreds of barrels OF oil, and II the hre had eX-
tended to this place 1t would have been dnicult to
arrest lis progress Immediately under the stairs
leading up 10 the WORKSHOPS on the outside OF 40
Bethune street were several barrels or OIL but they
were luckily not touched BY the flames. IL 49, In
TACT, Impossible 10 estimate the damage that might
have been done bat for the timely arrival Of the fire
engines.
The buildings, 43 and AS. were the property OF
Frame " Shoemaker, and were damaged 10 the
extent OF about Ss.0O0 with loss Of about $4,000
to the machinery.
lhe first floor was occupied bg this firm as
planing and saving mill, and they are supposed to
have lost about $4,000 worth OF property.
The second door was occupied by J0hn Dubois as
turning MIL His loss is estimated at 81, 300
The third floor was occupied by Charles Small as
q newell maker. Estimated loss ABOUT $500.
The second moor rear was used py s. Andrews,
box maker. Loss 500.
The third n0or rear was occupied by Charles
Petit, SASH ana blind maker Estimated loss $3.50.
the rear building, wncu was the property Of
John Bud, putty manufacturer, was damaged to
the extent OF $4,000; insured tor Sl3 900.
The buildings 80 and Al which were the property
Of the same parties, anu occupied by Martin Murphy
as planning mil, were damaged to the extent OF
$4,000; insured for $5,5 0.