New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-22
LOCAL MISCELLANY.

THE DISASTER AT THE BROADWAY FIRE.
INQUEST IN RELATION TO THE DEATH OF THE THREE
YIREMEN-vERDICT or THE coRONER's JURY.
An investigation was begun yesterday, before
Coroner wotman TO determine the cause Of the death
Of David Muldrew, David Clute and John H. Busch,
members Of Engine Company No. 80 who we're killed at
The Gre on Broadway, on Feb. 8.
Thomas W. Lowell testified that he was present al the
Are a. 73O p had been interested in the bust
ness at 444 Broadway, and noticed the safe In the
ruins; he asked man, who he told was Fire Com
missioner, that might be directed the safe
the Commissioner turned and spoke to Chief Gicquel,
who gave order to play on the SAFE
Edward Fitzpatrick, Inspector Of Buildings stood near
No. 444, but did not the fremen advance; he saw,
however, group Of about five 10 feet within the
house lne and about 10 feet from the wall Of No IA;
he the wall fall, and shouted TO the men. John Cav
snagh assistant engineer Of Engine No 80 saw the men
amid the ruins they did not in at once, but gradually
worked their way IN; he heard ORDER his impression
was, at tho time, that the wall wa a partition wall.
Walter w. Adams superintendent of the Department OF
Buildings testified that the building erected under
the law OF 1852; under the present law the
wall which fell lacked four inches Of the proper tcE-
soss 44s and $50 had been repaired at the request
the department AS TO the wall he thought at the
time that the ton had fallen off, and that danger
TO be appreheDded, il it fell at all II would fall INTO
the ruins he did not the wall fall John s. Fisher,
Chief of Battalion No OF the Fire Department, SAID
that Chief Gicquel had charge OF that part OF the he ne
tho ght that the wall which fell was party wall OF INC
Continental Hotel James Obs was recalled, and ASK
whether IL would have been possible for one TO have seen
that the wall which fell was not party wall ne
OF the opinion that it was not possible us the smoke
and steam were thick. .
Chief Gieguel testified that while he watching the
operations Of the remon lac heard gentleman ask That
stream be turned on his safe. when contained yau-
able papers; ne went To Engine No 81 and told the
to turn q stream upon the SAFE when tney Ou nc
LETT these men in front Of No i4l, in safe position; 10
carry out the orders of the witness there was no need OF
going any the wall. Philip Bitter testified that
Capt Ward gave order to play on the saIe; was
possible TO do this without advancing he was one OF
those who went into the ruins; It at the suggestion
of David Cute, who said Let us 60 in further we can
dry our clothes ;" Capt Ward took HIM by the shoulder
and told him not to any further; then the Captain
went to get some OIL and the men TOOK advantage
of his absence 10 advance; Assistant Busch gave 10
orlers IN "a in. inc witness came ont get drink
Thought The wall belonged the Continental Hotel.
titled that he ordered Busch to give the
IRE dash" and then back out, because
v rs daring man. and always anxious TO advance The
witness SAID That he caught Cute by the collar and drew
men move into the rui He did lot notice tue wall
1he smoke and steam thick that they might nave
gone IN without knowing their danger He also stated
That clue the origin of the fire had been discovered
Up the present Time. III Bates Cmef OF the flre Dc
partmeI stated that IL was not Intended nor required,
tLat the men should 20 among the runs as tne engines
OF Crosby ST. and Broadway able 10 reach the heat
the fire He said ne did not believe that any person
knew that the wall that fell Independent one.
T6e bmidngs DESTROYED were safe according to tie
former law, and there were many bulilngS IN the
CITY, at present much more unsafe than these.
Capt Ward being recalled stated that he went 70 has
engine house alter OIL, leaving Busch III chagc; the
engineer sad lie couldn't run his engine two
minutes and he went to get II, because he thought hc
could get II than any OF the ntn The testimony
OF Dr. Cushmau showed that the men came 70 thelr deth
on account OF injuries received 1t the Broadway ire.
After an absence of hour the jury brought III YER
dict to effect that David Muldrvw, David Cute, and
unobseryea independent wall of building Nos 4ii and
GAG Broadway