The New York herald., 1873-09-10
@ U B A..
The Fire in Havana a Cause Of Ex.
'ceedingly Heavy Losses and
Much Suffering.
TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.

HAVANA, Sept. o, 1873.
The nre of Saturday night, by which the Plaza
vapor was destroyed was very disastrous one.
The total loss s variOusly estimated at from
three to eight millions of dollars.
THE INsURANCEs.
The insurance only amounts to 1924, 900, nearly
all in English companies.
Notices have been promptly given that all in
sursnces will be paid on the 18th instant.
Owing to the rapidity with which the flames
spread very little property was saved
THOUSANDS OF PERSONS HOMELESS AMIDST THE
f-nrr RUINS.
In less than three hours from the time the fire
broke out the entire square was mass of ruins.
Upwards Of $500 people who occupied the build
ings are homeless, and nearly all have lost every
thing. Great distress prevails among them, and
subscriptions have been started for their
relief large amount has already been raised.
The Scene of the Conhagration.
Plaza vapor, as it is generally known in Havana,
instead OF by It's proper name Mercado de Tacon,
the scene OF the terrible fire, may fairly be con.
sidered the Washington Market OF Havana--its
only rivals being the Plaza Vega. near the Custom
House, and the Insignificant markets OF Plaza de
Colon ana Plaza de Cristo The market was built
by prison labor, In the years 1885 and 1886, by
General Tacon, and Is constructed Of limestone and
brick extracted from the government quarries, and
is one OF the most interesting places visitor can
inspect in the Guadalupe district, in which it is
situated. On the exterior of the galleries, at Its
base, large show cases, with fancy goods, such as
'''articles de Paris" may be seen, and any amount
ofimitation jewelry, which the Havana slaves pur-
chase with hard-earned money. In the stores on
the ground floor groceries, dry goods, periumery,
stationery, hardware and drugs can always be OBJ
tanned, while the loquacious BARRIERS have found
likewise several places to hang out their shingles
A visit to
THE INTERIOR
OF the market at the present month, which is the
height Of the fruit season. shows or rather did, be-
lore the building fell prey TO the danes. the most
the world, consisting OF platanos comitos, man.
.neyes, cocos, zapotes, guanabanos, pine apples,
and countless other kinds, including imported
peaches and apples from the United states
The name OF Plaza Vapor, or "Steam Place" was
given Sy the ,s rs ON sa OF its
THE ARCHITECTURE OF TIE BUILDING.
The building, which Is 9 perfect square, Is
south by the Calzal de Gaeano on the east by CAL
zada de la Reina and the west by Cale Dragones.
eSress and at the 0 eastern situated the
police station, as likewise the office OF the market
Inspector and his deputies. The length OF the
stores, about forty feet in height rom ths
dweing PURPOSES SsSom By many Of The market people,
and when business hours are over many OF them
may be seen walking and chatting on the fat roof,
made with bricks, and called In spanish "aZotea."
The building has galleries on and in and outside,
put wnich only reach up to the nrst story. The
second story reposes on limestone pillars OF the
Ionic order of architecture In the open space in
side OF the square are to be seen an immense num-
Der OF STANDS ov,t which all kinds Of
posed for sale. Towering up among them, like q
giant among pigmies, may be seen, two small one
story buildings, which are used for the sale OF
meat