The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-22
A PRISON ON FIRE.
Extensive COnflagrati0n in Massa-
chusetts State Prison.
Workshops and Property Valued at
$500, 900 Destroyed.

BOSTON, Mass. March q, 1874
most destructive connagration occurred at
the State Prison In Charestown, this afternoon,
involving loss OF scarcely less than $500, 00o 1t
was about quarter to one O'Clock that the OH
Gals OF the institution were startled at seeing
dense volume OF smoke pouring out OF the win
dows OF one OF the workshops at the lower end of
the prison yard. The convicts at the time were
locked in their cells IL being the usual dinner
hour ard the officers and turkeys were not
called upon to hold In subsection nearly 700 men.
but were able to assist the Instructors employed
by the various contractors In removing the
movable goods as fast as possible. There
Was stiff southwest breeze blowing, which
famed the flames, and in very few
moments after the fire was first discovered the
whole section Of the building at the lower end OF
the yard was all ablaze. In the lower and upper
stories there was large amount OF nhammabe
material, which served to feea the flames. render
ing the task OF the Fire Department OF the Bunker
Hill wards, who were early on the spot, hopeless
IN that quarter.
CAUSE OF THE FIRE.
The fire broke out in the bronze shop Of the
Tucker Company and was caused by the placing
OF two baskets over brOnzng oven TO dry. Tho
baskets were placed there just before the pris-
Oners were marched In to dinner, and the heat
Was so intense as to set them on fire. Finding
their efforts OF avail on the lower sec
ton of the workshops the hremen turned their
attention to the long building which
stretches up the yard toward the prison, and at
two O'Clock they had the fire under control. Dur
paratively quiet IN their cells, although at times
they shouted and made other outcries The fire
was finally arrested IN its progress through the
north wing oil the workshops. AT polnt where
the building was some hve feet higher than the
portion destroyed about 800 feet OF the shops was
totally burned, together with the contenJS.
THE OUTER WALLS FELL
outward into Prison Point Bay, toward Canal
street, but at last accounts the river walls were
standing. The foundry, together with the pat
terms escaped unframed. The prison repair shop,
shoe shop taiIo s. shop, laundry and bathroom
all the lower story OF the west wing OF the
workshops and were destroyed, The workshops
o. the prison have been burned twice before, once
about fifteen years ago. The Tucker Company en-
sixty and Averen s Hunting forty.
falls the heaviest upon the Tucker Company who
had IN process OF manufacture chandeliers and
bronze gods 9, the amount INT Of $4,000 the CON-
In the packing room, over the spring bed room,
and their machinery was valued at $i25ooo. most
ot which WIN We total loss Their spring bed
shop, with its contents, is wholly destroyed.
Henney Co. occupied portion OF the second
moor OF the lower oniiamg or the maaqacture OF
brush shop tMessrs. Averell & Hunting) was saved
in damaged condition. large amount OF their
manufactured goods were also saved.
The fire caused an intense excitement through
OUT the vicinity and also in Boston. and thousands
NOCKeu 10 tne scene. THICK volumes Oh smoke arose
from the burning buildings and we're waited over
the city, indicating that an extensive conhagra-
fire broke out while the cOnvicts were sale under
lock and key, for il the men had been in the shops
it would have been almost an impossibility to have
prevented the escape Of large number.
While the 1remen were at work in the State
Prison yard another alarm was sounded. and it
was found that sparks from the burning work
shops had set fire to the root OF dwelling house
at the corner Of High and Salem streets, nearly a
mile distant. A portion OF the department was
despatched to the place and eXtinGushed the fire.
The roofs OF several buildings on Charestown
Neck took fire and o strong bucket brigade was
posted along the roofs upon which the sparks were
1riV