The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-17
THE FURIOUS FLAMES.
Destr uctive Fire in Dry Goods Store on Eighth
Avenue Last Night-$120, 900
the Estimated Loss.

fire broke out in the dry goods store of Owen
JONES' 1877, 1863 and Ill Eighth avenue, at twenty
minutes past six O'Clock last evening" that caused
a damage of 100000. The flames started in the
basement under the portion OF the store
running Off the main building into Nine
teenth street. From there they swept in
the direction of Eighth avenue, and in a
very short time burst through the floor Of the
store, attacking the principal aisle Of the building
The draft caused by the opening in the woodwork
gave strength to the flames in the cellar, and for
few minutes after the fire was discovered it was
feared the block would be carried away. The ring
ing OF
A SECOND ALARM
brought an additional force OF firemen, and in an
incredibly short space Of time they succeeded in
combining the fire. Several streams of water were
brought to bear upon the front OF the store, and
fremen hose and axe In hand, dashed into the
burning building. The smoke at this time was so
thick that 1t was impossible to distinguish the
forms Of the men at two yards distance, yet they
went on with their work as co0lly and method.
caly as If they had the advantage of broad
daylight From Eighth avenue the store runs back
about half way through the block. 1t Is divided
into three aisles, and from the north side q wing
extends to Nineteenth street, making the plan OF
the establishment form an L. stairway leads
down this the fremen dashed apparently reckless
of consequences and intent only on the exercise Of
their
DANGEROUS DUTIES.
thick, hot smoke pressed heavily about them, but
they fought the flames with o skill and daring but
very partially understood by the community.
About the time the second apparatus arrived upon
the ground Commissioner Hennessy appeared
ger to the houses in the neighborhood
ne urged TO the and to
safety OF large portion of the block is owing The
floors of the store were soon flooded and the water
doing great damage to the property not In the i'm
mediate locality of the fire. Piles OF goods lying
Drawers and boxes es with rbSon aees and
such perishabe merchandise, were heaped on the
counters, and the members of the Fire Insurance
Patrol were rushing about from point to point
covering what they could to save them from the
water. About eight O'Clock the firemen were sat
isfed
THE FLAMES WERE sUBDUED,
and the work of removing the hose and other ap-
paratus was commenced. The store at this time
.ance. The windows In front were broken in some
of the doors were hanging on their hinges,
and the stock in the place looked as If it was COM
pletely saturated with water Beds bedding.
carpet covers and other merchandise were lying on
the sidewalk where they had been thrown by the
firemen from the building and the counters and
floors OF the shop were strewn in the same way.
Warden Brennan, of Bellevue Hospital, arrived at
the fire with ambulances at an early stage OF the
connagraton in order TO be ready for any accident
that might occur Fortunately Mr.. Brennans
services were not wanted, but the new arrange
mest by which he is informed Of the localities of
fires Is most valuable one, as was shown at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel burning. Previous to the
breaking of the fire at that hotel at the sugges
ton Of Warden Brennan, telegraphic communca-
ton was made between Firemens Hall and Belle
vue Hospital and the assistance rendered sufferers
at fires by the Warden since the putting
up of the wires proves satisfactorily the
value OF the work. Mrs. Davis, who lived over the
store, was very much frightened by the alarm of
fire, and, it is feared, received dangerous shock.
Her dwelling was damaged to the extent OF $1,000
by smoke. Mrs. Gaylord who occupied apart.
mentS over the wing in Nineteenth street ia n
sufferer by the fire to the extent or about thirteen
dollars. Her property is insured in the Rutgers
Fire Insurance Company for $1,000. Mr.. Jones' in.
surance will reach 100000 The police arrange
ments were very lax. People having no business
there roamed at will inside the lines and Commits
sioner Hennessy was several times obliged to call
the attention OF the officers to that fact Ii did no
good The police permitted the men complained
OF to remain, and stood quietly by looking on.