The New York herald., 1873-09-16
HAVANA, Sept. 10, 1879.

popularly known, was an extensive building OF
masonry. forming square, about GOO feet front on
each side and two stories high, situated not far
from the Campo de Marte, fronting Calzada de Ia
Rayna, Calzada Galiano Dragones and Aguila
streets, and bullt in 1887, during the admins.
traton Of Captain General Tacon, for the general
purposes OF market The quadrangle or i'm
mense court Of this vast space was filed with
numbers OF bOoths wooden sheds and other build
| ings, occupied by hacksters and butchers, while
| the lower floors OF the four sides OF the build
| ing comprised variety OF shops and
stores Of all descriptions, and In the
upper stories lived the families Of those who had
their business and callings in the shops and stands
OF the Plaza Here were to be found goods OF every
kind OF manufacture-industy and the arts, and,
under the arches OF the colonnade which sur
rounded the building on its four sides, were
crowded the stands and silver plated show Of
| vendors OF varieties and dry goods, diamonds,
jewelry Of all descriptions, fine and bogus; shoes,
fancy goods, ready made clothing, cigars, lottery
tickets-in fact, about everything imaginable In
| the way OF trade, which were, on account OF the
| famed chcapness Of all their wares, known as
'oarata,os," oa'ato meaning cheap
| Nothing can give better idea of this busy place
| than to compare 1t to the famous Palais Royal Of
Paris although the latter was the more magnif-
cent building; but the con9lomeration Of different
trades and callings and the immense amount Of
retail business done daily, from early dawn until
near eleven O'Clock at night gave the Havana
| building certain superiority.
POPULATION AND TRADE.
| over 1000 persons lived within its precincts,
and, without estimating the value OF the building
and its lucrative rental, the value OF goods II con-
tanned is set down at $4,000 ooo
The fire was discovered shortly after midnight
| in one OF the 00de0Gs on the side fronting
others gave the alarm, and then discovered that
the Ire had spread to the dry goods store adjotn-
ing such n was @ the rspiabty with Wsa which M # spread
| store, unable otherwise TO escape. threw them
selves from the balcony, receiving injuries from
both right and lett and at hafpast one the flames
enveIoped both sides OF the building.
TO THE RESCUE.
Notwithstanding that the alarm was promptly
given and the authorities and fremen began to
make their appearance ut the scene OF disaster,
they were rendered p0werless for the want prin-
cipaly OF water and oil proper direction to their
EFFORTS against the spread and continuance Of the
THE SCREAMS OF THE INMATES
OF the upper story, crowding upon each other down
the narrow stairways and in many instances, as
| these were cut OF by the names throwing them
selves from the balconies, with loss OF life and
limb; the roar OF the flames, the shouts OF those
who were endeavoring to save some OF their effects
from the wreck, added to the futile efforts OF the
ana the helpless paraysation OF an immense crowd
| OF spectators made scene never to be forgotten
|
| The authorities are bitterly blamed for the want
| OF decision or faculty shown on the occasion.
! THE CAPTAIN GENERAL
| was present and gave his directions, which the
| Chief Engineer ignored as to where the water
pipes, which had been lately relaid, were to be
account at the best, were useless ior the want OF
water. Nothing was available to arrest the prog
ress OF the voracious element, and only owing TO
the calmness o. the nignt-not breath OF air even
stirring-was the fire Kept from spreading to other
a In Q4q
viding suitably for such contingencies as the re-
| cent one.
Numerous suspicious and reports immediately
circulated, attriDuting the fire TO the work or in
political parties. and sunday maintained Havana
! IN q f0ment OF excitement. as 1t was feared that
dSy Of % blood had arrived Groups OF men could be
seen diferent parts OF the city, but the authori
ties had taken all necessary precautions to pre-
| There is no reliable foundation for attributing
| the fire as the work OF incendiaries. The great
! quantities of combustlbe materials crowded into
many Of the stores IN the shape OF liquors, petro
leum, and In one or two instances, which caused
an sores OF pr tss @ MOI S
asserted with the object OF creating feeling
against the republican party, whom the conserva
four corners Of the structure The greater part Of
was not turned on which IN place where there
was perfect network Of pipes, greatly aided the
spread OF a conaagration.
BY four O'Clock, or within four hours, nothing re-
NAMED OF the immense interests represented Ia
the Plaza del vapor bnt the standing blackened
cacined walls, which threatened every moment to
fall ana cause still further damage.
THE GuNPOwDER
in the store referred to exploded with O force,
which tore down the walls and threw blocks
other houses. Since the nre subsidized other parts
OF the walls have fallen, and indicted death and
serious injury. T'he actual
is not known thus far; it is variousiy estimated
from twenty to nfty while the police reports only
give up to the present; it Is generally report
ed that there are number who since the fire have
not been seen or heard from and 1t Is more than
ruins.
THE LOSS OF PROPERTY
has been variousiy estimated, the lowest putting
1t at three and the highest at eight millions.
Apart from the value Of the building itself, the
city had rental from the booths and stalls OF the
mostly on tue stock or the dierent stores, amounts
TO nearly 100000, represent ted IN the British and
North German insurance compantes
CITIZEN REFLEcrIoN AND THE MORALE.
The impression produced BY this horrible CO.
BEEN mo sua s
ened on all sizes desire to alleviate the suffer-
tngs OF the ruined homeless families, and subscrp
Ayuntamiento, or City Council, held meeting and
resolved to devote 900 to the most pressing
ss @ ,As s Sspsp s5
each Regidor 500 towards the general fund. The
Ayuntamlento further voted $1,000 and . com
mem0ratlve medal to coachman who generously
and voluntarily rendered e1cient aid to the
wounded and other victims OF the fire.
The construction OF booths for provisional mar
ket IN the Campo Marte was also approved and
vote OF thanks to Its president, Count CAnengo,
who, despite his years, one OF the nrss at the
| hre, and most active In giving assistance.
| The Casino Espaf0l has also started supscrIp-
ton for tue relief Of the sufferers, its president
| Zulueta. donating $3,000 -.
| The sums subscribed rom diferent sources nave
| already made Q relief fund OF over Soooo0.
| THE VOLUNTEERS.