New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-09
NETWORK. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY g. 1876.
and extending to Brooklyn and Jersey City, which
flashed back the read CLEANS from every window.


cies crowds Of people to the center of inter
est and the strength and forbearance Of the numer
Gus policemen were sorely tried. Broadway, above
and below, was packed with a crowd which occu-
pied every inch of standing room. stream Of peo-
pie rushed up and poured down Church-st. and
every other avenue of approach the roofs near by
and far away were studded with spectators, and
thousands eagerly watched the progress of the con-
iagratOn from distance, and eagerly appealed for
information to every one who came from the neigh
borhOod of the fire. especially if he wore the badge
OF newspaper reporter or an insurance employee.
THE REsIs'LE ADVANCE OF THE FLAMES.
After the sinking of the roof and floors of the
building in which the fire originated the iron front
still stood upright for moment, arch on arch to
the cOrnice, which burned with blue flame, easily
seen through the red of the main ruin. IT seen
to tOtter, however, and the fremen drew away from
before 1t, and took away as much of their hose
possible. They had barely done so, and all
had not yet got away. when the whole
fell with tremendous crash into Broadway,
breaking the iron columns into fragments Several
fremen were observed fleeing from under the wall
as it came down. and universal cry Of horror went
up as some of them were seen to fall and all were
hidden in the cloud of dust and smoke which in
stantly arose. Quick feet bore willing hands
through the ruins TO their help, and great sigh Of
relief was audible all were seen to emerge alive
from the tumult. Two men, however. were hurt.
but not seriously-WIliam II. Fleming Of Engine
No 25, who received a nervous shock but afterward
returned to duty, and Richard Burke of the Central
Insurance Patrol whose knee pan injured.
AS the walls of the adjoining buildings fall
ing the flames enveloped the large iron-front build
ing at Nos. AS and $50 Broadway. The stores in
this extended into Crosby-s., where we're the rear
entrances used in shipping merchandise. The fire
had made clear lane for itself through to Crosby
ST., and above and below it still burned
tercey. Below was the Continental Hotel,
and though the building was all in
fire. the fremen were able to get at it, and their
persistent efforts held the flames in check. The
wind also was in their favor. Ii was evident, many
fremen said, that this to be the stopping place
Of the fire in this direction for two reasons, and the
result proved the truth of the assertion. First, this
where the iiremen concentrated their forces Oh
this side of the fire. The second reason was that
behind this building a remarkable heavy brick
wall.
The police saw the danger, and by the time the
reserves arrived there were TO spare to
clear this building Of Its inmates The reserves were
sent from all the precincts below Twenty -thirdst.
Oh the east side of Broadway, aud Inspector Dilks
was in command. Capt. Mcdonnell of the Eighth
Precinct was on the ground from the beginning. At
this time ii seemed though the destruction of the
entire block inevitable The order was given
to drive everybody except the fremen and other
persons authorized to remain back beyond
the next block. The bright light reflected upon
the roofs beyond Union-square, and crowds OF per
sons from the worst quarters on the east and west
sides of the city rushed TO the fire. Many times the
| lines were broken, but the crowd were fought back
| again, though at each assault by the police riot
| seemed eminent The wisdom of the course of the
police was apparent, even if they kept crowd back
even out Of regard for its own safety. Wall after
wall fell into the street, and many persons would
certainly have lost their lives had they not been
kept at a distance. Superintendent Walling was
at the scene OF the fire in civilians dress accompany
| ing Commissioner Voorhs.
The flames spread through the entire building at
| Nos. AS and 400 with such rapdity that some OF
| the hose could not be got out of the building. The
covers of the insurance petrol were also consumed
and the fremen had to fly for their lives. The front
of this structure was of iron, and the hugo columns
were bent and warped with the intense heat but
still stood firm. The first floor of this building was
occupied by Catlin, Brandreth & Co., importers and
| jobbers in cloths. The whole of their stock
| seemed to burst into flames at the same
moment, and the fire was so hot that it
scorched the paint on the buildings the opposite
building from considerable distance, both above
and below The pipemen were ordered to turn their
streams occasionally upon the buildings on the west
| side of Broadway, which were prevented from
taking fire by this means Chief Bates ordered four
lines of hose to be upon the roof 81 the building
| at Broadway and Grana--t This is fine, durable
structure, with heavy brick party walls and here
determined stand was made against the advance of
| the FIRE.
The flames mounted rapidly through the second,
| third fourth and fifth stories of Nos AS and 400,
making grand sheet of fame, filling the entire
space from Broadway through 10 Crosby-st There
was soon nothing but a shell Of the building stand
ing and the front swayed and bent outward, threat
ening to fall across Broadway. The volume Of
water poured into the fire at this stage was very
large but it seemed only to make the flames mount
| higher and burn fercer. The pipemen stationed on
Broadway moved farther up and the insurance
patrol began getting out the goods from the adjon-
ing building transferring such books and papers as
were nearest at hand and easiest to carry away.
The entire inside of this building burned ont,
and the noise of the falling walls was heard at fire.
| quent intervals.
The flames were so hot that one could stand in
Broadway in front Of the fire, but the sidewalk on
| the opposite side of the street little above was
thronged with merchants and representatives of in
surance companies. In Grand-st. the air filled
with flying sparks and bits of burning timber. and
occasionally shower Of water shot over, sprinkling
the crowd without the slightest warning. All down
| Crosby ST. the doorways and cellars were crowded
| with the inmates of the tenemeDts, who feared
| every moment that the flames would drive them
from their homes Most Of these people Italians
and Germans, and they kept up an excited
dialogue IN their different languages. The