New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-16
TIE FIRE AT PANAMA.


ORIGIN AND EXTENT -LoSSEs or INSURANCE
CoMPANIE5-INADEQUArE PROVISIONS AGAINST
FIRE.
PANAMA, March About $50 y. m. of the
10th February the alarm Of fire gyon in this city
and tho bells BEGAN ringing Tho flames originated In
straw hat belonging to Seor Gutierrez situated In
Gallo Comerco almost directly In front OF the private
entrance to the Grand Hotel. Tho building In which
this occurred enyeloped In flames. the In
mates OF the second and third stories only having time
to escape with what they had on them The wind being
from the north, the flames soon communicated to the
Grand Hotel. O spacious building OF many stories and
occupying whole block. Tho basement was occupied
by valuable retail aud commission stores. IA part
OF the building had been set apart as a residence
for the Bishop OF Panama, Catholic seminary
for young priests, and rooms for mem
hers OF the clergy with the Episcopal govern
ment OF the Tho Bishop lost everything oven
his episcopal mtre did the priests who assisted him
in his dates The rest OF the building was occupied by
the proprietor Mr. George Leow. his boarders and the
usual persons connected with great hotel. Many OF
those in the hotel the time had narrow escape with
their lives 80 sudden the alarm and rapid the
progress OF the flames. Tho were soon IN
flames and the only way OF escape for those who were
caught ladders placed against tho front balcony
In fact, 80 minutes after the flames reached
the hotel nothing was left but the bare
wall. Of what was considered the finest hotel south Of
pumps and for fire occurring inside Of tho building.
hut these were useless against the fire. building
occupying such central position and OF such sze
once under the dominion OF the flames there could be
no hope for The safety Of the adjacent houses The hotel
occupied the north side Of the plaza Tho houses on the
east side separated from only by narrow street,
ware soon In flames The store OF Messrs. Landsburg
70 and Mr. ZbInden, Matchmaker and jeweller the
,v ,Ioon and restaurant OF Mr. Knopps, and the
bouse OF Messrs Gefers and Finke have nothing left
hut the bare walls The nre followed down Las MoDJas-
at but tho wind changed about 10 D. tn and tho inter-
yepton OF q largo unfinished building arrested Inc
course OF the flames 10 easterly direction.
In northery and easterly direction from tho hotel
ard the house in which the hrs originated many build
,os ware burned In Gales COmmeroO and San Juan do
Rios including the Bank Of Panama. The change OF
u1r, ,,-, mo fro back on tho burned DISTRICT where
t fuay exhausted itself INT mol Voiv'e piopetV ~
the streets OF the Taller, Commerce., ana 49, "
Rios had been destroyed the amount IL Ia estimated
of 100000 tl0Oooo0 The central and most valuable
part OF the City OF Panama containing the finest build
ings and richest stores, has thus been destroyed.
The Imperial Insurance Company Of London will lose
100000; the (Brsh) 100000; Northern (British)
soo 900; the North British and Mercantile. sls9OOo and
tho Scottish Imperial, s75Oo The Queen and the Fire
mems will also suffer. 1t may be said that nothing
done to arrest the conlagraton. In fact, but little
could be DONE No organization TO prevent repetition
OF the calamity OF 1870 was thought or nreenglne
and its hose we're allowed to become useless through
neglect The supply Of water from ancient wells n tho
city IS insufficient and precarious, and not even buckets
could be obtained. The military called out
to patrol the streets aud protect such goods and
effects rs could be saved from tho burning
or threatened houses The residence OF Mr.. Carwine,
and Office OF the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
although close TO the front Of the hotel saved
Assistance was sent shore from the ships Repulse and
Alta th.xr nl,nr.A
of II was too late be OF much service. Capt Wilson
OF tho former and Capt. Kennedy OF tho latter
both on the spot what they could do. The officers
OF the Pacific Mall Companys steamers In port did good
service Capt Griffin OF the Colima. and Capt. Howell
Of the Nevada were both shore with gangs OF men,
and worked laDorously but their efforts would have
oeen unayaing had not the wind changed aud tho nre
exhausted itself The Railroad Company sept over
three steam reeDgnes which arrived in two hours, but
ourousy enough both tho present and IN that OF
1910 they were found TO DO In such bad working order
H.. a9,.iDg ,2a.ARs fs9iJ VIII tSGu 99E haYa tasz