The New York herald., 1873-10-02
F l R E S
A Block OF Buildings Threatened with Destruc-
tiOn in the Upper Part Of the City.
BURNED TO DEATH.


ond noor OF the building No. 1902 Broadway
that caused considerable damage to the surround
ing property. The flames first started in the VAIN
scotting, and then rushed with wonderful rapidity
into the armories overhead and into the adjoining
stores. 1t is supposed they originated in the ig-
hitting OF the gas. as the pipes were leaking in
eral places, and plumbers at work in the vi
cinity. The structure in which the fire occurred
was originally built for a market, but, being lai-
ure as building for that line OF business, 1t was
cut up into stores the ground noor and fitted
up Tor armories on the upper portion.
Some OF these stores are occupied but several are
without tenants. When the fire was first dlscov-
cred the people in the place endeavored to put 1t
out, but finding the flames growing beyond their
control an alarm was given. This brought several
engines to the spot and the Fire Department began
70 grapple with the dangerous element. During
the time that elapsed between the ringing OF the
alarm and the arrival OF the machines the flames
INCREASED IN EXTENT AND STRENGTH,
and the fremen. when they saw the magnitude OF
the work before them. sent for more assistance.
This was quickly at the required point. and after
an hour OF desperate labor the dremen saw with
satisfaction tnat the names were under
their control. The police answered the first
signal or fire and made a Gordon around
the burning block for the purpose OF keeping of
thieves and an inconvenient public Assistance was
lent by the neighborlng precincts. When the
seco nd alarm was given and during the time the
fire lasted, the greatest order prevailed Consider
aole excitement was visible In the private houses
in the neighporhood owing to the proximity OF the
names to those buildings
STRONG WIND
was blowing, and II the names had been allowed to
get through the roof OF the building to any great
extent considerable and alarming damage must
certainly nave been done. Too much praise
way in which they worked and risked
their limbs and lives. Without waiting to
Indicated by their officers, and their enorts soon
produced a gratifying result. The police also per-
formed their share OF the work in praseworthy
manner. Immense crowds OF people gathered in
the open spaces about the building, outside the
police Gordon, to watch the course OF the names
and speculate on the extent OF the disaster.
Among the throng were several old ladies, resi-
dents OF the neighborhood, who trembled with the
fear that the flames would reach their homes.
Their doubts were changed to certainty OF secu-
rty when they saw the fire checked and they
went back to their boudoirs in evident satisfaction.
From their starting point the flames reached Nos.
1,490, 1904 Broadway and ITO and liz West Forty
nth street, three story brick building, belong
upon this house is estimated at 81, 500. No 1.490
Silva cigarmaker, who suffered loss OF $1,000;
insured lot 5000. No. 1,492 was unoccupied. Nos.
carriage repository. were q DAMAGED to- the extent
OF $500, and were insured Tor the sum of sl2,5o0.
No. Lass was unoccupied No. l,5oo was conducted
sustained loss OF $1,000, but was insured for
$4,000. No. 1,5o2 was occupied by Bull 4 Gold
macher as tailor shop; they suffered loss OF $500
and were insured for $1,50O. No. 10 West Forty
fifth street, occupied by Lange as tailor shop, was
damaged to the extent or s5o0 insured Tor
$1,000. No. 172 West Fory-dith street, occupied by
Lewis Dacunha, was damaged to the amount OF
along over the buildings were used by the Twelfth
regiment and the Washington Greys as armorles.
Both those regiments sustain loss OF about $4,000
each Several onlcers OF the regiments had private
property in the company rooms, but to what ex-
tent was not ascertained. Fire Marshal sheldon
was on the ground during the fire and notified the
several parties interested in 1t to appear before
him to-day.
ANOTHER FIRE
basement brick building No. 1s6 Henry street. The
nrst n moor Of TINS house w was used by Mr. John j.
liquid extracts and usually carries on large bust
ness At the time the fire took place quantity OF
balsam OF fir was being purified in his establish.
ment. on each side OF the stove stood a barrel
containing quantity OF this dangerous material
One barrel contained the raw balsam, and the
other was being used to receive the refined which
had passed through the process on the stove. In
another corner, at short distance, was barrel OF
alcohol, and about the room were other articles OF
commerce. Mr.. Bowen's son, william Bowen,
lad ssn ,ns was Sao IN IN the S act oT Of
when it le to the floor and instantly ignited.
Almost as ons quickly as as the M names .s sprung
caught the contents oil tue barrels and in ali IN
credibly short space oil time the whole OF the
dashed through the windows OF the rear and out
through the woodwork with rightfui velocity.
liquids rushed into the apartments OF the oc.
cupants OF the upper stories choking and binding
them. All managed TO escape, however, except
Mrs. Selders, who lived on the second door. 1t ap
pears that when she realized the condition of affairs
She to the head OF the stairs, where OF the
workmen saw her, with the evident intention OF
escaping. Whether she grew frightened at the
danger benea.h or went back TO save some
cherished piece OF property is not known. but the
going back cost her her lie. When the fire got into
her apartment and she saw
ESCAPE THROUGH THE HOUSE WAS IMPOSSIBLE
70 ana nf fhn f-nn w rI md nlIl
out frantcally for help. Officer Titus, OF the
seventh precinct went to her assistance through
an adjoining house, but was unfortunately unable
to rescue her. He got into the burning building
through the skylight, and descended through
smoke and flame to the room where the woman
was Gagged. He found the door barricaded with
pieces OF furniture and trunks, and tried to push
1t in. Falling in this, he made an effort to get
through the window over the door, but was again
unsuccessful. Although he continued TO cali out
to Mrs. Selders from the moment he arrived at the
door, he could not make her understand MIN, and
he was finally compelled to abandon the poor
woman TO her fate. The position OF officer Titus
runnded him xn on every sde but he man.
aged to get through them and out again upon
the roof with great difficulty. His hair, beard and
hands were badly burned, and his uniform suffered
severely. On his appearance ON the roof OF the ad-
joining house he was hailed by the crowd assem-
comp ment to his bravery ana humanity. Seeing
the of1cer was not succeeding, Chief Nash, OF the
TO the window rom where the woman was scream
ing for help, but before he got to the opening she
had fallen back upon the n0or victim TO the
flames. Chief Nash entered the room and found
WAS GONE.
All that remained was the black and burned body.
This was removed with all possible despatch TO
. the seventh precinct station house, where IL re-
NAMED until the Coroner ordered its further re-
moval. The boy to whom the accident occurred
that caused the disaster ran into the street. his
clothes on nrc. In the excitement and pain he
felt he dashed down the street, apparently n un,
mindful OF the danger he was in. Some men
stopped him and took him into drug store, where
he was attended to, and afterwards found by the
police. The loss caused to Mr.. Bowen's property
Is estimated at 81, 500. He is insured Tor $4,000 in
the Metropolitan Insurance company FAMILY
loss to their furniture OF $500, and Mrs. Selders
property was damaged to the extent OF $780,
Coroner Young has taken charge OF the burned
BODY and Fire Marshal sheldon win hold an In
yestigaton into the cause oil the fire to-day.
Fire I'm Lebanon, N. Fl.
LEBANON, Oct. /, 1873.