The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-01
FIRE IN BOSTON,.
Another ConAagraton-Ths Huge Buildings Of
tho Dock and Warehouse Company Ablsse->
HALF a Million Dollars Worth
Of Merchandise Destroyed.

BOSTON, July 81, 1878.
The club, has again been visited by connagrsl
ton which, although not covering vast extent OF
territory, involves at least loss OF half million.
The fire occurred in the immense buildings OF the
National Dock and Warehouse Company on Lewis
wharf In East Boston, and was first discovered az
hafpast three, and not until nearly midnight was
1t got under control The building was long
brick structure, three stories and half in height.
surmounted with high-pitched roof. II EXTENDED
from the ferry slip several hundred feet up
Lewis street, terminating in a large four story
building. The latter was supplied with heavy hre-
proof shutters, and these were instantly closed,
thus efrestualy protecting 1t from the fames. the
DESTROYED building was owned by the National
Company. 1t was, in reality, block OF three ware
houses, extending literally from Lewis street
through to South Warl, numbered upon the latter
from 40 to 40 inclusive. brick party wan separ'
ates each OF the houses, and all were packed
and crowded with goods OF very inhammaDie
material, belonging to large number OF con-
signees. Each house contained four stores on the
ground 1Oor and
THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY
slowed under this one roof was simply immense
1t was mainly sugar in bags, gunny bags, jute In
bales and butts, jute cloth, &C., with some WOOL
All this stock had been taken In from the vessels
for removal. The principal owners were J. Gardi-
ner Curtis Curtis Il Peabody, N. d. Goddard,
william Perkins Il Co., Henry Gardner, b. S, Pray,
George Mckay, Sewel Day h Co.; William +.
Wild h Co. and Mills Edwards g. Co There were
also many others who had greater or less amounts
stored in the building. including several new 10TH
firms.
THE SPREAD OF THE FLAMES
was very rapid, extending from the centre OF tue
building, where the fire broke out, IN Dotn Glrec-
tons and shooting high into the air dense tense
the windows and hung like pail over the Locality,
conveying the impression that the fire was more
really WAS II. indeed the general IMPRESSION s from
side Of the water tended TO produce
sas to isss Fe acy OF this
idea was soon dispelled, however on nearer ap-
tanty In twenty minutes after the sounding OF the
alarm that the entire building must be destroyed.
Il wa rs 1a T be- s
further spread. Meantime the flames were twin
Ing and twisting themselves in and ont among the
bales and bags, penetrating every crevlce IN the
closely packed mass of material and tapping
up the looser parts of the stock as
purpose The fire seemed to hang with despera
ton calculated to defy the efforts OF the men, and
only to burst out with renewed force in another.
After it had been raging for about fifteen minutes
THE ROOF sUCCUMBED
and then the water began to tell with greatest
effect. Three quarters Of an hour later por-
ton OF the front wall fell into the street
with q crash, which brought to mind the Hano.
yer street disaster, and which caused shock Of
anxiety for the fremen who stood almost under
b. 9ns s WAS n Sosea
quickly directed with such effect as to allay all fear
OF further spread of the fire.
PART OF THE LOSSES AND INSURANCE. -
store could be reached tonight, and they were I'M
aSf to give and Mr. oTns
sldered his building, which Is totally de-
half million dollars worth Of merchandise. the
OF this Is underwritten by Boston Offices the risk
having been considered peculiarly safe one me
Clinton Of New Yr haS sGoa On 9ne pag
sugar in Nos 90 and e. The crowds Of people
all points of vantage can only be numbered by
thousands There was universal disposition
kind and rush to look upon the scene Of destruc-
ton. Upon this side OF the water the wharves and
docks were crowded with men. women and chill
dren, while hundreds sought the tops OF the build
ings near the waters edge.
Soon after the fire broke out, owing to the
threatened destruction OF the terry house and the
blockade of Lewis street, the South ferry boats
were stopped, and the mass OF the people infested
as as was the crowd OF spectators upon the Boston
prOper side, IL was simply handful compared to
the multitude which thronged all the direct ap.
proaches to the fire. There was little disposition
manifested however, to encrOach upon the do
main of the fremen, and the latter had excellent
opportunities to put forth their best Efforts.
HOW DID THE FIRE OCCURp
During the fire Mayor Pierce, Alderman Cutler
and ether city magnates were on the ground. Just
how the fire originated Will probably never be
known, but there is one thing as to its cause
which seems at least plausible. The ten stores are
separated by double iron doors, which are well
calculated to prevent the spread of fire from room
TO room; but, unfortunately, gang of skaters had
been at work in the building Tor several days past,
afternoon
get at their work. 1t Is also said that one Of their
number was smoking at one time and, II this Is
true IL Is probable that the fire was in some man.
ner caused by his pipe.