The New York herald., 1874-12-28
FIRES.
A DAY OF CONGREGATIONS.

The large furniture manufacturing establishment
Of Warren, Ward & co. was destroyed by fire yes-
terday afternoon. 1t was situated in an immense
brick structure at the corner Of Spring and Crosby
streets. This building had frontage of fifty feet
on Spring street and OF q hundred and twelve
feet CROSBY street. 1t was OF the height OF FIVE
stories ana was topped with Mansard roof 1t
was built in 1867 by Warren. Ward & Co.. and has
ever since been occupied by that firm. Fires have
happened within the building three times, and,
strangely enough, each time on sunday.
Though upon none OF the previous occasions
was much damage caused by the flames
they had wrought effect upon the
minds OF the firemen which was expressed yes
terday when the engines arrived at the building
and the men accompanying them saw the flames
to be in its upper part. They are said to nave
hestated somewhat before entering the building,
as they believed it to be in-faled-tnat it was
shell whose walls were likely TO collapse upon
slight motive. The bravery OF the men speedily
overcame their slight superstition, however, and
they pursued their work with splendid persistency
and effect.
THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE
is unknown. The smoke lrom 1t was first noticed
at twenty minutes past twelve O'Clock By q fire.
man named William Hughes, who was on duty IN
the Marion street bell tower and saw the smoke
issuing from beneath and at the sides OF the sashes
OF the windows on the Spring street side OF the
fourth story. He Immediately sent out an alarm
promptly responded. 1t was discovered that
the flames were burning hercey through the
flooring OF one or the manufacturing rooms, the
pianks OF winch were choice iood Tor them, being
impregDated with varnish and oils. 1t was soon
found by Cnef Engineer Bates tnat the iorce OF
men and engines al work wOnid be Inadequate to
a second alarm was sounded. When the reinIorce-
ments arrived the attack upon the nre was con-
tlnued with renewed energy. The names had been
spreading persistently against the water that was
thrown upon them. They had run through tine
apartment IN which they were first seen, and had
mounted TO the 1itn story. They did not appear
TO yield in the slightest degree to water and they
were rapidly nearing the Mansard root. This was
the most lnnammabe part Of the build
ing, as in the apartment formed by 1t the
oils and varnisnes were stored. The 1remen bent
all their energies TO the work OF Keeping tue
flames below tnat magazine. Meantime the fire
also ran downward into the third story. There It's
downward course was checked. No efforts could
thing In them serving to iced 1t. The floors were
rendered extremely infammable by the varnishes
filled, ant quantities of new furniture covered
them. IL was very difHcut for the fremen TO get
their extinguisnlng appliances to bear upon the
names IN the fifth story. They raised extension
ladders 10 It's windows and dragged hose up aud
played through them. They worked with skill and
Judgment. yet despite their Efforts the fire ran up
into the Mansard roof. This event was materially
FASTENED BY the bursting OF some OF the hose The
flames mad now reached point whence It was i'm
possible TO dslodge them, and while they played
wickedly there, unaffected by anything harmful TO
preventing the lower stories from becoming g
nited again from fallen embers and to securing
the buildings IN tue vicinity from harm. While the
Mansard roof was burning the greatest alarm pre-
vailed among the people who live In the vicinity
OF Crosby and Spring streets The IRE looked so
threatening that they had indeed much cause Tor
fear. In the Anson House, which is on the nortn-
west corner OF the streets named. there was great
commoton. Everybody within 1t had clothing
packed, In order to start speedily after notice Of
danger. Little by little, however, the flames
in the fifth story and the Mansard roof
died away until 1natly the 1remen were
able to reach those situations and work vigor-
ously.
BY five O'Clock the fire was sun1ciently reduced
to allow or the departure to their stations OF the
engines which had responded To- the third alarm.
This had been at the order OF Chiei Engineer
Bates at about half-past twO-the time when the
flames were advancing TO the apartments in the
innammaDle Mansard roof. Most ol the nook and
ladder companies were kept at the fire to pull
down the timbers, many OF which we're still
smou.dering. They were engaged at this work
until late at night. The building from the third
story upward Is Rutted, and all the coutents OF
the third fourth and nth floors and the Mansard
roof are destroyed. The lower stories are badly
damaged by water and smoke, and their contents
are injured by being wetted and warped py water
and heat.
As was said before, the cause OF the IRE is
known. There were several persons IN the lower
story at the time 1t was discovered but none OF
them appear TO have known anything OF 1t before
Hughes, the fireman, who gave The alarm. Incy
conjecture, however, tnat rats may have pnaw ed
some matches That were the fourth moor, and
nave thus caused name which found ready fuel
OF loss which falls upon Ward Co. The police
estimate IL Ut about sl50,O00, whlle the Assistant
FIRE Marshal, who was present at the ire, est-
mates " at ahont 100000 TDe latteg divides loo