The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-07
FATAL FIRE ON OLIVER STREET.

A WOMAN sUFFocATED TO DEATH-THREE OTHER
PERSONS BADLY INJURED.
At about haf-past three O'Clock yesterday morn
ing as oficer Sanborn, OF the Fourth precinct
was patrolng his beat, he noticed smoke issuing
from the upper windows or the two and a half
story frame tenement house No. ~ oliver street.
Telegraphlng the alarm the engines were prompt
lv on the spot, but the fire, rapidly gaming head
way had destroyed the second story and attic be-
fore their arrival. The attic was divided into Two
apartments, the rear one being occupied by Ber-
nard McAIlen and wife, and the front by
Mrs. Kate Hunt, a widow woman, aged
fifty years. all or whom were sound
asleep when the ire broke out. As the
flames sped upwards from the second story, where
the fire originated, McAllen was awakened by the
heat and smoke Hastily arousing his vile the
pair made rush for the stairway to effect an
exit from the burning building, but the fire had
cut them of and their only chance OF safety lay In
jumping from the window to the ground which
they Immediately did, Mrs. McAllen first letting
herself down by hanging rom the window Sill and
her husband following in the same manner. The
distance rom the window to the ground was De-
tween twenty-five and thirty eet, and III Jumping
Dotn received severe INJURIES, the former SUSTAIN
Ing fracture OF the left leg and MRS. McAllen a
fracture OF the spine. The latter was also severely
burned around the lace and shoulders.
Patrick Dolan, boy, Twelve years OF age, was
sleeping on the second floor. The dense smoke In
tue beginning OF the fire awakened n1m, ana he
made his way down the stairs TO the street, but
not without receiving some severe burns on the
pack and shoulders.
The first floor was occupied by Mary Southern,
who was also awakened III time to save herself
succeedingin getting out OF the house without
bodily injury.
MIR. ana Mrs. McAllen and the bov Dolan were
promptly cared Tor by the police, who conveyed
them n an ambulance to the PARK hospital, where
surgeon smith dressed the injuries, alterWard re-
moving them 10 Bellevue Hospital.
Alter the nre mad been eXtlngulshed Oticer Ke-
hoe anu k0undsman Plot, OF the Fourth precinct,
maze a tour through the building, anu were horrl-
fled at finding the cnarred remains OF Kate Hun ,
the inmate or the ironU attic, lying OF
straw. 1t mad been thought by the hremen that
all The occupants OF the house mad made gooo their
escape, and The dnding Of the body OF Mrs. Hunt
were badly burned and her lace was also dis1gured
by tile IRE. TIE cot on winch she lay was intact,
VITA the exception oil one corner, winch was par
italy burned, ana IL Is tue general opinion that
death was caused by sunocatlon. When dIscov
cred the Dooy was lying on the straw pea, rom
which IL would appear that she was su1ocated be-
lore Sne haa maze an aJLempr 10 save her life
the Dody vas removed to the Oak street station
house and Coroner Multman notified. That Official
on arriving cmpaneAed jury 10 view the re-
mains, after wnIch they were removed TO the
dead house, where IN Inquest will be held
he deceased had occupied 5He room In which
she met her death Tor many years living a
secluded sort or lie. since the death o. her nus
band sne mas earned a precarlous livelihood by
keeping an apple and candy stand IN The vicinity.
of which about S30o Is TO tue furniture ana the
balance 10 me building. fne occupants OF the
house are poor people, and lose all their earthly
effects. The mouse is owned Dy Mary Fletcher and
Is fully covered by insurance.
Fire Marshal sheldon VIII investigate the origin
OF the fire.