The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-03
FIRE I'm BROOKLYN.

One Building Destroyed and Two DAM
aged-NarrOw Escape OF the Occu-
pnnts-Loss $21, O0O-Arrcst on Suspicion
of Arson.
There was fire on Fulton avenue, Brooklyn,
yesterday, which came very near involving loss OF
life. The City Hall bell rung Off the alarm signal
at about fifteen minutes past four O'Clock In the
morning, and the Fire Department lent prompt
response to the summons. The scene OF the con-
Migration proved to be four story prick building,
No. sO7 Fulton avenue. The fire made its appear
ance on the drst moor, which was occupied by G.
s. Furst, young man who leased the house and
kept q fancy and dry goods store on that
story. The smoke burst forth in dense
cloud, filing the entire upper part OF the
building and almost sufocating the tenants
on the upper floors, who barely escaped
with their lives out in the cold frosty morning air.
William p Howell, together with his wife and three
young children, made their escape by hurrylng
down stairs, but half dressed, through the smoke.
Mr.. Bennett, who lodged on the third floor, had
also a narrow escape. The fourth story was occu-
pied by two sisters, Misses Crouans who were
compelled to make their exit
THROUGH THE sCUTTLE TO THE ROOF,
the stairs being cut Off by flames when they were
aroused. The poor girls were released from their
cold elevation by some residents of houses in the
block and were gwen shelter until they could make
permanent provision Tor new lodging.
Building No. sos, occupied by Edward Koopke,
also caught fire and was damaged TO the extent OF
$4,000. Mrs. Cox, who rented the first floor, where
she kept fancy goods store, lost on stock and
fixtures about $1,000. Other tenants lose on lurnl-
ture $500.
No. 500 was damaged to the amount OF 81, 500.
Mr.. Jamison who kept fancy store, lost $500 on
stock. The loss was OccaSioned chiefly by water.
N. p. Howell, who lived on the second moor OF
No. s07, testified before the Fire Marshal that ne
returned to his home about half past eleven O'Clock
store counting his money when he came In; he
went up stairs and retired; about iour O'Clock IN
the morning he woke up and heard an unusual noise
In the store beneath to which he called his wlle's
attention.; somebody went out the hall door and
then came in again; Howell fell asleep, but sub
sequently awoke hearing violent ringing ut the
doOr-bell; he jumped out OF bed, drew on his pan
falcons and one boot and selzing his children
rushed down stairs; his vile also escaped with
him; one OF the children was
ALMOST SUFFOCATED BY THE SMOKE,
so that medical attendance had to be procured for
her; ON reaching the sidewalk he observed Furst
standing there, having on his cap and Overcoat
Howell, who Is hard-worklng man, lost his furni
ture and effects, valued at i0OO all he possessed
In the world
Charles S. Furst testified that he had lease of
the building No. s07 for three years from May next;
he visited neighboring liquor saloon after closing
his store Oh saturday night, and there met three
men, whom he invited to his store to play cards;
they came there with him between twelve and one
O'Clock, and renamed until four O'Clock yesterday
morning; they played casino" and '.euchre' for
sefeedng stove in the rear of the store about two
feet from the counter; good fire was kept up all
the time; as the men we're about 20 leave the
place
BOX OF MATCHES
was accidentally set on fire, but the blaze was
stamped out by one OF the party before leaving
and they all went out on the sidewalk about four
O'Clock, and Furst was leaning with his head
against the awning post when he observed smoke
issuing IRON the store, which soon proved to be all
on fire; his loss on stock Is about $1,000; he has
assurances in the PheniX and Imperial companies
policy for 81 500 in the former, and one for $4,000
in the latter
The building which was destroyed was owned by
Peter Flynn, and was valued at $1,000; insured Tor
So, 900 in the Mechanics Company.
No. sos was insured for 81, 500 in the Phenix, and
in the Atlantic for $500.
Sergeant Campbell, of the Fourth precinct, ar
rested Furst on suspicion OF arson, and locked him
up to await examination before Justice Rely to-