The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-05-11
Tho Tiro Fieni In New YORK.

passing through Crosby street, he no.
ticed large column Of smoke issuing
from the rear portion OF the Metropoli.
tan Hotel. and directly over the stage OF
Niblo's Garden.
Seeing an officer standing against q
tree. Watching the smoke, thetOaptain
went to him and asked him il he gave an
alarm. With perfect nonchalanoe the
officer said no. but he thought there was
q big fire inside.
The alarm was soon after sounded, but
upon the arrival of the fremen the flames
had gained great healway. An order
was Immediately given to sound gene
raj alarm, which soon brought the entire
Fire Department on the ground. They
were speedily assigned places and set to
work, while Gordon of policemen from
the Eighth and Fourteenth Precincts
was spread around the block bounded by
Broadway and Crosby streets. and Prince
and Spring streets, to keep the crowd
back. Tho hook and ladder companies
got to work, and rs soon as they COM
menced tearing down the burning mass
inside q fork of flame shot upwards,
which they were unable to Withstand.
and which drove them back into the
street In shorter time than it takes to
tell, the entire theatre was ono sheet of
flame and was soon totally destroyed.
The flames soon extended to tho store
lately occupied by Helmbold, and the
wind drove flying sparks. etc., on five
houses on the East side of Crosby street,
setting fire to them.
The rear portion Of the metropolitan
Hotel also caught FIRE, and notwithstand-
ing the utmost endeavors of the iremen
to stay the progress Of the fames. they
were soon licking up all in their way.
Detective Kush did all in his power to
save the hotel, as did also several Of the
other employees who we're not too
frightened 10 work. but all to NO purpose
Streams of water were soon pouring into
the hotel.
AS soon as the guests learned OF the
fire, they began pouring out in endless
confusion, women running here and
there, too excited to fully dress them
selves. The employees. began gathering
up their clothing, ETC., and getting out
| as quick as possible from the burning
pile. It is impossible to say what
amount of damage will be done. as the
FIRE is still burning as brightly as st first.
It is rumored that three or four fire.
! men are missing, and it is thought by
their associates that they may have pe-
rished in the flames. Several of the
men have received slight injuries from
falling debris, etc.
It was reported that thieves were tra-
Yelling through the metropolitan Hotel.
stealing whatever they could lay their
hands on, and Captain Irving, with his
force Of detectives, have taken posses
sion of the place, and are clearing out
oil who havo not any business there.
The theory that some of Stokes friends
set fire to the building is very prevalent
among the spectators.
The West wind blew the flames away
from the hotel. but endangered the
buildings on the East side Of Crosby
street.
The hotel and thcat.e are owned by
A. T.. Stewart.
There were 200 guests i'll the hotel at
the time the fire was discovered, most Of
whom were in bed. A scene of inde-
scribable confusion. amounting almost
to a panic, ensned. Men. women and
children rushed about frantically, all
imagining that their lives were in danger.
The clerks and attaches OF the hotel
succeeded in allaying their fears. and in
short time comparative order reigned
o6oAu. Iho OAlBlu W tuo uEe 10 uu-
known. The only persons in the theatre
at the time the fire was discovered we're
John Weatherstone, Paul Serini and Ed
ward Quigley. Mr.. Weatherstone is the
head gas man Of the Grand Opera House.
He had been sent by Mr.. Cole, OF the
Opera House. to arrange the gas for the
spectacle Of Italia Rookh," which had
been in preparation for some time. and
which was to have been presented to.
night for the first time.
Mr.. Weatherstone thus described the
breaking out of the fire. He said II
was in the theatre fixing the foot-lights.
Paul Serini. the assistant gas man, and
Edward Quigley were assisting me. Al
half-past O'Clock, I heard kind OF
crnokling noise over head. I looked up
to see where the noise came from, and
discovered fire extending from tho rig
ging loft to the dome, in place where
fire is never used for any purpose what
ever. I Immediately attached the fire
hose and tried to reach the fire, but tho
stream would not reach, and in an incredi.
bly, short time the flames had completely
enveloped the dome of the building.
In the meantime. sent the janitor to
sound the fire alarm. Before the fire.
men arrived, the gas border and pros