The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-16
= A N a M A..
Alarming and Extensive Fire in
the Isthmus City.
The Grand Hotel, Catholic Seminary and
Many Stores and Dwellings Consumed
Bishop Despoiled Of His Altar
Property, Even to His Mitre-Heavy
Losses to Insurance Companies.

PANAMA, March 4, 1874.
the last days OF the carnival had Just passed
when Panama became again the scene of O great
connagration.
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE FIRE.
ABOUT halfpast six p N. OF the 10th Of February
ias' 'he alarm OF lire was given and the bells COM
mehced ringing. The flames originated In straw
hat store belonging to Seaor Gutierrez, situated
IN cane Comerclo, almost directly in front of the
private entrance to the Grand Hotel. The building
in which this fire occurred was soon IN namesi
leaving the inmates OF the second and third stories
only time to escape with what they had on them.
The wind being IRON the north, the flames SOON
communicated to the Grand HOTEL q spacious
building Of many stories and occupying q whole
block. The basement was occupied by valuable
retail and commission stores. part Of the build
ing had been set apart as Q residence
for the Bishop OF Savanna, Catholic semi
nary for young priests and rooms for mem
bers Of the clergy connected with the episcopal
government OF the diocese. The Bishop lost every
thing, even to his episcopal mitre; so did the
priests who assisted him in his duties.
The rest OF the building was occupied by the
PROPRIETOR Mr. George LeOw, his boarders, tran
sent passengers and all the ct ceter'a OF a hOtelS
Many OF those in the hotel at the time had a mar.
row escape OF their lives so sudden was the alarm
and 80 rapid the progress Of the flames. The stair.
cases were soon in flames, and the only way Of
escape for those who got caught was by
ladders placed against the front balcony. In
fact, thirty minutes after the flames made an en-
trance into the hotel it was perfectly Quilted, with
nothing left but the bare walls OF what was Gelx
sdered the finest hotel south OF San Francisco
The hotel was furnished with Iorce-pumps and
hose for fire occurring inside Of the building; but
was useless against fire from without Of the In.
tensty OF the fire under consideration. A build.
ing occupying such central position and OF such
s SIZE once nnder the the DOMINION OF the names no
adjacent houses. The hotel occupied the north
side OF the plaza.
the east side, separated from 1t only by narrow
street, were soon in names The stores of Messrss
jeweller; the city saloon and restaurant Of Mr.
Knopps, and the warehouse OF Messrs, Geil1us "a
fire followed down Las Monjas street. but the wind
changing about ten T: NJ, and the intervention Of
an easterly direction. In northern and Westerly
direction from the hotel and the house in which the
s s sSn Ssn Gs
GLIDING the Bank Of Panama The change
Of WIND tarew the are back on the
ercio and San Juan de Rios had been destroyed
81 200, 900. The central and most valuable part Of
the city OF Panama, containing the finest buildings
and richest stores, has thus been destroyed.
INSURANCE COMPANIES LOSSES.
The Imperial Insurance Company OF London will
lose 5000, OOO the Sun (Brtish) SOS, 900; North
ern (Britlsn, 100000; the North British and
Mercantile, $4,000; Firemen's Insurance Com
pany, -; Scottish Imperial $17,5o0, and the
LOCAL DIFFICULTIES AIDING THE FLAMES.
1t may be SAID nothing done to arrest the
connagratiOn. In fact, but little could be done.
The walls OF the Aspinwall Hotel and other builds
ings remain as instructive but otherwise useless
lessons No organization having In view repeti-
ton OF the calamity OF 1870 was thought Of fire.
engine and It's hose were allowed to become
less through neglect. The supply OF water from
ancient wells in the city is insufficient and pres
carOus, and not even buckets could be obtained.
The military were called out TO patrol the streets
and protect such goods and effects as could ba
saved from the burning or threatened houses,
BY an organized effort the residence Of
Mr. Cariome and the ONCE OF the Pacific
to the east front OF the hotel, were saved.
Assistance was sent on shore from Her British
Majesty's ships Repulse and Reindeer, but from
the distance they were anchored OF, was too late
to be Of much service. Captain Wilson, OF the
former, and Captain Kennedy, Ut the latter, were
both on the spot to what they could do Tho
officers OF the Pacific Mail Company's steamers in
Colima, aud Captain Howell, of the Nevada, were
both on shore with gangs OF men, and worked la
bOriously, but their efforts would have been un-
Avaing had not the wind changed, when, in truth,
the fire exhausted itself.
The railroad company sent over three steam
nre engines, which arrived in two hours, but, very
curiously. both in the present case, in that Of
order that nothing could be effected with them,
nor. We believe, have they proved OF much service
in any Of the late fires that have taken place in
Aspinwan itself.