The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-12-28

!, AR1&hnE Eas York Fire. GscRe or
SIXTY ksiFas frpaa the Flames.
The lire. on Gentss street, Eew Ecrk, on
Tuesday evening which destroyed the six
story brick building occupied by the New
York Newspaper Printing Company aud
Others 1t Is suited, originated by the acct.
dental ignition OF a benzine san In the third;
floor, used for job md newspaper printing.
The flames spread so rapidly that the em-
pioyes OF the establishment were unable to.
save their personal property, and 1t is assert
ed that several persons lost their lives.
The 9Th and sixth floors are occupied by
Anderson. Archer &c Co. as book.bindery.
On these floors there were ut work some
sixty girls, who were ignorant Of the exist
ence of the fire until they were almost sur.
rounded by the flames. Two young men
from one of the lower floors, who were
aware Of the perilous position of the girls,
fentured. at the risk Of their own lives, to
rush up the stairs and give the alarm. AL
most Simultaneous with their alarm thetfire
appeared through the cracks of the fourth
story floor, and in an instant everything and
everybody was thrown into the greatest ex-
element Women and Urls rushed through
the building screaming fearfully, while others
became unconscious and swooned away.
The first impulse of the terror-stricken wo-
men was to rush down the stairway, but
scarcely had they descended dozen steps be-
fore they were forced back by volumes of thick
smoke. Those who were down on the lower
steps attempted to turn back, but behind
them was an army of employees, who, in their
haste TO escape, threw themselves bodily
down the stairs, aud thus compelled those
beneath them to rush
HEADLoNG THROUGH THE SMOKE
or remain in their pcriloul position to be
roasted alive. Some who were more daring
risked the only chance placed before them,
and covering their faces with their aprons,
rushed through the smoky passagc:way and
finally reached the stairway almost sutloca.
ted. ~ they arrived at the third floor the
flames could be seen Kissing through the
crevises Of the doors and walls. The girls
who had gone thus far in their ea2erness to
escape from the flames threw themselves
down the stairway, alighting all in heap at
the bottom. At this place men were sta
toned, who, as soon as the aflrighted girls
landed on the second floor, picked them
almost bodily in their arms and rushed
down the stairway to the street, Many
of them had tainted away. The flames
had 10y this time enveloped the third,
fourth, and a part Of the fifth floor. The stair
way, which was believed to be the only
means Of escape, was sheet of fire, and the
remaining twenty-five girls who were known
to be inside the building were given up for
lost. While some of the girls escaped in the
manner already mentioned, the remaining
portion, who were compelled to turn back,
rushed to the fifth and sixth floors and at
tempted to reach the roof. This was found
to be impossible, and many of them gave up
in despair and sat down upon their stools
awaiting their terrible doom others rushed
from window to window frantically crying
for help, while the rest passed the short time
lett them in prayer. Every moment added
to their danger, and inch by inch tho fire
approached nearer to them. Just as the
flames were within few feet Of them, one
of the men, named John Brandt, who was
Oh the same floor,
CRIED IN LOUD VOICE,
"Girls, save yourselves / have fixed the
tire-escape." The sentence gave hope to the
poor victims, and simultaneously with the
utterancc Of his last word rush was made,
and in a few seconds three girls were already
canbering down The iron ladder. Many Of
them were afraid to risk their lives on the
rickcty concern. and seemed disinclincd to
make any effort, but as they cast c back
ward look at the fumes they took courage
and followed the Others. Those who were
most afraid john Brandt assisted down as
best he could, and when they were safe he
assembled for the others. When he last went
up six were on the floor, three of whom came
down with him. He then started for the
others. but the flames from one Of the other
floors burst out, and he was compelled to
turn back. What became Of tho three re-
manning girls is not known, but they are no
doubt lost. Who they were is noty yet known,
but ii is believed that Jenny Stewart, aged
twenty years, is one of them, as she had not
returned home up to 4 late hour last night.
\ number OF the menand girls We're more or
less injured, the majority of whom fell from
the lre-cscape in their hurry to save them
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