New-York tribune., 1873-07-31
A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
THE UNITED STATES APPRAISERS STORES
NEARLY DESTROYED.

| NtANL1 Ell.
ORIGIN OF TIE FIRE UNS.owN-rHE UPPER HALF
OF THE BUILDING BURNED AND THE REMAINDER
FLoODED-LOss OVER S550,000.
About 9:55 p. m, yesterday, flames of mysterious
and unknown oricin were discovered by watch
man In the rear Of the fourth floor Of the United
States Appraisers stores, in the large sxstOry brick
building fronting 100 feet on New-Churc,i-st., be-
tween Rector and Morris-s,s., and extending
about 2-O feet westerly, through to Greenwichst.,
along which they also extended 100 feet The fire
began in that part of the building known No. 1l0
Greenwch-st, in the middle of the part of the
| structure. The flames rapidly crept upward
| through tho ELEVATOR and the only stairway
| in the rear part of the building, and COM
| municating with tho large quantities of
| inilammabe goods stored in the building, they
| spreadquckly in all directions, and in few mo-
mens the entire fifth and sixth floors with their
contents were burning fercely. Upon the sounding
of the first alarm, four engines and two hook and
ladder trucks arrived promptly but the flames had
already gained such great headway that second
alarm was Immediately sounded by order of Chief
Engineer Bates summoning three additional engines
and another truck. After brief but unsuccessful
efforts the part of the remen to check the pro-
| gress Of the flames, third alarm was ordered
and three extra engines and another
truck from above Canal-st. soon afterward
arrived. The combined efforts Of the 10 engine
companies called by the three alarms proving ine,
and the fire menacing the complete destruction OF
| the immense structure and the adjoining build
! ings, two extra engines were summoned by
special telegTaphc call, together with another
truck company. Meanwhile, President PereY, late
Chief Engineer of the Fire department, had ar
rived and'held conference with Chief Engineer
Bates. The engines were stationed both at the front
IL fln NJ tfrhf
OF which rendered the exertions of the firemen of
comparatively little avail, the fire being in the
upper half of the building beyond the reach of
effective streams Of water. Streams were, however,
thrown into the windows of the building from
the streets, and also from the roofs Of struc-
lures on the opposite side of Greenwich-st.
and adjoining on either side Of the burning store
house. In this manner the downward progress Of
the flames was finally checked though the two upper
floors with their entire contents, were completely
destroyed, and part of the fourth floor on which
the fire originated. During the progress of the fire
the flames worked downward through the elevator
and stairway TO the third floor dong trhng dam
age, however, in that section Of the building,
~ a.:s q. Nj IL tie names were Still burning though
apparently under complete control. AT tins hour
about one-half of the building, or the upper part
had beeu destroyed, causing an estimated loss Oh
about $4,000 On the building. the storehouse was
well filed with valuable imported goods of every
description, including drugs, wines, silks, fancy
goods &c. Il is roughly estimated that there were
about $4,000 worth of goods in the building con-
sisting mostly Of samples sent by the importers for
appraisal. The lower part of the build
ing was fairly delUged with water
which must have seriously injured the goods stored
upon the lower floors. These are believed 10 have
tl,av alan NJ
Ii ia, therefore. estimated that the loss upon
goods by fire and water will reach about five
hundred thousand dollars, on which, as upon the
binding. there is supposed to be no insurance unless
a part OF the goods are covered by open or foatlng
policies As has been already intimated, the goods
belonged to large number Of importers whose names
and losses could not be readily aSccrtained.
this morning. Assistant Fire Marshal Miller, who
was in attendance early and who remained during
the continuance of the fire, began an Investigation
IN regard to its ORIGIN but could obtain no definite
information.
THE Police ARRANGEMENTS.
Immediately upon the discovery OK the fire the Of
Gcers Of tine Twenty-seyenth Precinct, on post in
Greenwich and Church-ss., near the building,
hastened TO the Liberty-st. Station-house and IN
formed Sergeant Ferris, VINO has been
in command of the Precinct since last
Winter Sergeant Ferris Immediately sent bis re-
serve platoOns TO the building, and transmitted the
alarm By telegraph to Police Headquarters in Null
berry-st. Soon afterward Inspector McDcrmott ar
rived and assumed command personally, tho
reserve platoons of tho Second Precinct under
Capt. Cailay, and of the Third Precinct
under command of Capt. Williamson having mean
while arrived The efforts of the police, aside from
keeping at a safe distance the immense crowds
which had gathered about the burning building
were also turned toward rescuing the inmates
OF the adjoining populous tenement houses
which hanked the immense Government store on
either side, both on Greenwich and New Church
sts 1t was with extreme difficulty that the police
succeeded and not until forcible measures had
been resorted to i'll some instances
in expelling from the tenement-houses many
panic-stricken persons who in their terror seemed
more determined in their frantic efforts to some
comparatively insignificant and almost worthless
houshold article than to preserve their own lives In
many Instances falnting women, helpless children,
and old people were borne from the buildings
in the arms Of stalwart policemen and carried to
places of safety. Inspector McDermott was COM
mendably active in his efforts in this direction, and
il is only due to the Captains and Sergeants present
from surrounding precincts to say that they all emu
lated the example OF the Inspector to praiseworhy
degree.
WATCHING TIE FLAMES.
Ambulance Surgeon Joyce from the Centre-st
Hospital arrived at the scene of the confagration
soon after the sounding of the third alarm, with an
ambulance prepared to convey to the hospital any
firemen or Others who might be injured. Fortu-
nately, however, his services were not required,
though he remained with the ambulance until the
flames had been brought under control After the
occupants of the adjoining tenement-houses had
been driven and removed from their homes many