New-York tribune., 1873-07-31

interior OF tue upper uall Ol lAO p"'AN'Nb WV" 49,
contents were destroyed, the walls remained un-
harmed. The iron cornice upon the Gfeenwich-st.
side, however, which seemed to have been fastened
upon wooden timbers, fell in sections at intervals
with a terrific crash but as the fireman had antci-
pated its fall, and guarded against It, no one
was injured. 1t was noteworthy that
tall flagstaff, surmounted by large glt eagle, and
situated upon the top of the Greenwich-st side Ct
the lofty structure, remained standing for more
than two hours and half after the discovery OF the
flames. Long after the fire had burst through
the roof of the building, the flagstaff loomed
conspicuousy through the wreathing flames and
smoke. 1t was watched with Intense interest by
thousands of spectators, many of whom playtully
remarked that "none but an American eagle could
stand such aroasting." Finally, however, the flag
staff fell backward into the seethng OF flame
causing great shouts from the spectators
DIFFICULTIES OF THE FIREMEN.
As has already been stated the great hight Of the
building prevented the throwing of effective
streams Of water into the two upper stories to
which part of the building the flames were chiefly
confined In addition 10 this hinderance, the fact
that there was only one stairway in tho building
proved source of serious embarrassment, as the
firemen were unable to reach all parts of
the building with either facility or safety.
The structure consisted of FIVE distinct sections
communicating with each other by a series Of
arches, and had each section a proper fre-proof
stairway il is believed that the conlagration could
have been much more easily aud quickly suppressed
and with farless damage than resulted DuIing the
earlier stages of the fire, however, the iiremen
entered the building, aud ascending to 1.-THE fourth
floor vigorously combatted the flames so long as they
were able to do so with safety and to good purpose
Il. 4....N roI fhar
seemed TO be confined to comparatively small part
of the rear of the fourth oor and while the Of
the insurance patrol were yet covering the goods
upon that floor with waterproof tarpauins, it was
thought that the fire could be kept within that
section of the building and upon that floor
So rapidly, however. did they soon after
ward extend to other parts Of that floor
and to tho upper floors that it almost
seemed as if the upper half OF the building had
ignited simultaneously in many different places.
When the remen were at last forced to retreat the
entire building was menaced with total destruc-
ton and it was feared that the efforts Of the remen
to save it would prove unayailiDg On this account
the third alarm and the two special teegraphic calls
for engines from the district above FOurteenth-st.
were ordered.
. During the early progress of the fire strange
anu uUdCCOuubdDIc iHloitlhC Ntto hiHNAS - W.
graphic transmission of the news from the Twenty
seventh Precinct Station-house in Liberty-st. to
Police Headquarters. The first alarm was correctly
transmitted but soon aferward, the dispatch. 1.-The
fire is OUT was received from the station
house by telegraph operator Stevens at Police Head
quarters. simultaneously with this dispatch came
second alarm TO Police Headquarters from the Fire
Department Headquarters in Mercer-st, stating that
a second alarm was then sounding. The Police tele-
graphic reports being usually very accurate, 1t
was thought at Headquarters that the second
alarm must have been sounded, either
by mistake or for some other fire. few moments
later, however a dispatch was received from the
Liberty-st Station, which had been forwarded by
Sergt Ferris. stating that the United States Ap-
praisers store was burning, and likely to be utterly
consumed Sergt Ferris states that the information
upon which the incorrect telegram was based, was
taken TO the saton-house while he was at the fire
by some person OF persons whom he has been unable
to discover but that upon learning of the false in
formation he Immediately wrote correct state
ment which he caused to be transmitted to Police
Headquarters forthwith.
THE CLOSING SCENE.
By a. m. the fire had been brought under almost
perfect control. The spectators Lad for the most
pert dispersed, few, however, still lingering 20
have their little joke the aifrghted tenement
folk and to drink in honor of the incident the Gov
ernment, the fremen, OF tho merchants, the social
glass III the neghboring grOgshops, which were do
ing wonderful business On the Greenwichst side OF
the warehouse two or three streams were still play
ing. and the flames now and then shot up in lurid
grandeur for moment, only to be smOthered by the
play Of the engines. Indeed, with the black walls
and numerous windows and the smoky light within,
tIa do loolnh lilo aXoUgaratpl Igpk-O'-
lantern. almost none of it having fallen. On
the New Church-st side several engines were
still supplying the hose connections which up to
the higher windows and passed thence through the
building to the burning sections. Meanwhile the
firemen were standing about, attending. here and
there TO some little duty, and having kind of
respite after the arduous efforts of the previous
hours. The horses, too were fastened and
blanketed here and there, and We're champ
ing their bits, and apparently appreciating
the weirdness of the scene. Here and There on mat
tresses and various articles Of furniture the tene
ment people lounging and recountlng the in
cidents, thrilling or humorous of the night But
now the flames growing less and less. and by
and by the building almost black. and the en-
gnes began emptying their fire-boxes, and the
horses were put to, and off drove all but few of
the machines which remained to play upon the
ruins.
Thus the walls of the building were left almost
uninjured; the neighboring buildings were only
harmed by deluge of water; the flames themselves
had done little HARM except in the upper stories on
the Greenwich-st. side. and the lower stories and
their contents were chiefly injured by water which
trickled from floor to foor carrying damage ruin
wherever it penetrated.
EIGHT woRKMEN HORRIBLY BURNED IN
CHICAGO ROLLINGMILL.
CHICAGO, July 3O.-At the North Chicago