The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-19
FIRE IN WEST STREET.


The Loss Estimated mt $4,000.
fire broke out yesterday afternoon in the two
story brick building in the rear OF Nos. III ana s79
West street, that caused damage to the surround
ing property OF about seventy-nve thousand dol
lars. The first moor of the structure In which the
flames started was used by Francis A. Mott as q
planning MILL and the second was occupied by
McGrath Mott as q moulding null. The building
belonged to Mott whose loss Is estimated at
SIC, 600; insured for 50, 900. The fire extended 10
the two story brick building adjoining, belonging
to the Hagerty estate and occupied by w.
f. Corey, collector and steamship agent.
Loss $500; not insured. From here the names
burst into the premises Of J. S. Mclean Co., lunl-
Der merchants, and swept along the front OF West
street from No 81 to 375 doing damage TO the
property of this firm estimated at SIT, 500; insured
for $1S.050 No. 3s2 West street was next wrapped
in the close embrace OF the names. The place was
used rs potash factory by the firm OF Walsh,
Holmes 4 Clarke. Loss $4,000; insured for
$4,000. Nos. 1871 and l39 Barrow street. one
story corrugated iron shed, occupied by
Blake Mahoney as an old iron de.
pot, was entirely destroyed by the fire.
The loss OF the irmis estimated at 800 900; insured
for $4,000 shortly after the fire broke out Fire
Marshal Sheldon arrived mt the spot and at once
instituted inquiries to the origin OF the disaster
lie found that the flames broke out OF the room
where the furnace was located, in the premises Of
Mott. and they were started by n draught from o
window, in the rear OF the furnace, opened by one
81 the ha for e s OF e room
some shavings, and so rapid was their action on
the building and timber piled up outside that 0
team OF horses, which were being loaded in the
rear, were consumed before the man in
charge could get them out OF the way This man,
Gus imperlled his own life in endeavoring 90 get
ont the horses He escaped rom his dangerous
The police Of the Twenty-elghth precinct conveyed
him to the station house. where he was attended ia
by physician and then removed to his home. The
daring and bravery OF the firemen while the flames
ragged were mos praiseworthy. Every man worked
as II the putting out the confagration depended
upon his individual exertions. Captain Speight, OF
the police boat Seneca, the smoke from the
burning buildings he rounded the Battery, and
once steamed to the scene. Two immense streams
OF water were poured upon the flames from the
boat, and in short time put them under control.
The steamer Fuller. OF the Fire Department, also
got to the vicinity OF the fire. but did not go
action. At the first alarm the police OF the Twen-
ty-eighth precinct turned out under Captain Wash
bourne; the second brought the reserve from the
Eighth and the third those OF the Fourteenth and
Fifteenth precincts Great dissatisfaction was
manifested BY the property owners IN the neigh
the fire at the action OF the Fire Commits.
sioners IN sioppins the ringing n,ro Of the
department was slow in arriving at the spot, and
that some OF the engines were shorthanded Com
missioner Perley got the larger part OF the blame
in this matter, as it s understood the silence OF
the bells Is mainly due TO him. The police are
Seriously interieres With their value in preserving
the property OF the people while great fires are
raging. 10 Is to be hoped the question will be
taken into consideration by the Fire Department,
and the arguments on both sides, for and against,
seriously weighed.
As a pleasing incident OF the occasion, IL may be
stated that while the fire was In progress, the
commander OF the Brazilian corvette now lying on
the Jersey City ferry, at the foot or Cortlandt
street. sent several boats crews, with large de-
tachment OF officers and the ships fire engines, To
render whatever assistance might De required.
The act was as graceful 1t was prompt The
officers and men OF the neghboring line OF French
steamers also prorered aid, but the Fire Depart
ment was quite equal to the occasion, and the gen.
erous tender was declined