The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-21
FIRE AND EXPLOSION.
Walls Of a Building In Cincinnati
Thrown Down.
FlREMEN BENEATH THE RUINS.
List OF the Killed and Wounded---T
Loss and Insurance.

CINCINNATI. Ohio, July 20, 1875.
About hali-psst one O'Clock TINS morning the
building NO. $50 Fourth street. near Elm street,
occupied by Block Co. as printing office, and
W. w. Donaldson, photographer, was destroyed by
fire. AT three O'Clock the walls of the building
which had not fallen from the eIects OF the fire.
were all thrown down by
AN EXPLOSION OF GAS,
and some seven fremen. with Chief Engineer
Megrue, were buried under the debris. Chef
Megrue was in the second story, and had just
called for a Gro " bar when the explosion occurred.
A GENERAL ALARM
was Immediately given, and the whole Fire De-
partment was soon on hand ano at work. search
ing for their unfortunate companions among
the ruins. At Jour O'Clock chief Megrues voice
was heard calling for help. The fire blazed up at
this time around the buried fremen, but water
was brought into play. ana the new danger was
averted.
TAKEN FROM THE RUINS.
At half-past four O'Clock Chief Megrue was taken
from the ruins IN an insensiDle condition. and
badly brusel. His injuries are not thought to be
fatal, however.
THE KILLED.
Dick Hocomb, of engine No. 8, was found dead
in the ruins. His body was horribly torn and
mangied 1t being broken in two just below the
breast.
THE INJURED
James Mccormick. of engine No. 4, was first
taken out OF the debris. One side OF his face was
Knocked OF, and he was badly bruised elsewhere.
His injuries will result fatally.
Denis and John Pohlman, of engine No, g. were
next rescued, slightly injured.
Captain Henry Schldman, or engine No. 10. and
f. =. Spencer and Richard Holcomb, OF the Hook
and Ladder Company fell from i've story ladder,
but escaped with slight injuries.
Lee Socum, OF engine No. 8, is thought 10 be
fatally hurt.
Three men on the sidewalk were Sc verey in
jured by dying missiles.
CONDITION OF CHIEF MEGRUE
At last account Chief Megrue was doing as well
as could be expected, and his physicians have
hopes Of his recovery. He Is wounded In the head
and mas severe bruises on the legs and thighs but
is conscious and resting more quictly.
BLOCK Co. IS loss is between $50, 900 and $50 900
Insured for $4,000 each In the Royal, Queen,
Niagara and Rhode Island, and for So, 900 in the
Fire Assurance, OF Philadelphia; Phenix, OF Brook
Ign National ana Etna. Hartford. Block & Co.'s
total insurance is S34, 900.
W. w. bona ,dson's loss Is $37,250 Insured for
SCI, 500, most OF which is in local companies.
Mr.. Leveinstine's loss on building IS $4,000;
fully insured fer $4,000 In the Delaware and
$1,000 in the Commerce, OF Albany.
LATER EEPORE OF IHE CHIEF ENGINEER ME-
GRUEs CoNDTTIoN-LIsT OF THE INJURED.
CINCINNATI, Ohio, July 90, 1875.
Chief Engineer Megrue. Of the Fire Department,
who was so severely injared at the fire this morn
ing. Is reported tonight as resting easily. No
bones are broken, as previously reported, but he
has severe scalp wound and suffered severe in
juries on the body aud right nip. There was no
indications OF internal INJURIES but he SUI
fers severely from nervous prosiratIon. The
streets In the Vicinity or his residence have been
covered with tan bark TO deaden the sound and
give him rest. The total
NUMBER INJURED,
including CRief Mcgrue. was ten, all OF whom are
reported doing veil tonight. The following were
the most severely injured:-
James Mccormack, rib broken and face cut
Dan Ell Cronin. arm broken and BODY bruised.
II. IamUrock arm broken ana somewhat
bruised otherwise.
The others were bruised or cut by falling bricks
or timbers. It is reported that one moor of the
building WAS heavily overloaded with photographic
stones and presses, which caused the wall to give
way.