Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-02-12
GREAT FIRE IN NEW YORK
CITY.
SIXTEEN BLOCKS BURNED TO
THE GROUND AND TWENTY
MORE BADLY DAMAGED.

YORK City, last Tuesday, 9Th inst. 1t
originated at about half past six in the
evening, in the block bounded on the west
by Broadway, on the east by Corsby
street, on the north by Grand street and
on the south by Howard street. The
Continental Hotel is heap of ruins and
about thirty other houses are reduced to
ashes. The fire commenced at IT'S Grand
street and burned down to Crosby street.
and then back again till the whole block
was nearly destroyed. Upwards of
10000 people witnessed the grand spec
tacle. The fire was under cotrol by 10
P. NJ.
The building No. 125 Grand street,
where the flames originated, was occupied
as the Patullo House, kept by Ferris &
Smith. Toothacher's store is Quilted, five
buildings on Broadway were saved. All
Grand street was saved, except No. 125,
where the fire broke through the back.
Phelps & Everdales, No. l6 Crosby street,
is Quilted. The courage of two boot
blacks, Timothy Hanrahan and Florance
Sullivan, who dragged a fainting woman
out Of the entrance to the Continental
Hotel, is the theme of general converse
ton.
Eight of the finest buildings On the
Bowery were destroyed, and over twenty
houses more or less damaged. The loss
is Variously estimated at 100000 to
| $5,000,000. The fire was first discovered
in 444 Broadway, on the Crosby street
side. This is the site Of the old Variety
| Theatre, known some years ago as "444. -
1t was destroyed by fire then and rebuilt
with business houses. The fire was first
discovered at about $50 o'clock, and be-
fore the firemen could get fairly to work.
| The flames had a firm hold upon the
building, and free sweep from Crosby
street through to Broadway. Second and
third alarms were given, for the wise old
f1remen saw that there was much danger
and work ahead. The fire grew apace and
the flames bursting through the roof
mounting up in immense pyramids, light
ing up the city for many blocks around
There seemed to be quantity of food for
the flames, for every few moments the
fire would increase in intensity, until the
heat became unbearably. About o'clock,
in spite of the geatest efforts Of the fire.
men, the fire extended to the great iron
fronted building adjoining 448, and in &
few minutes the entire upper floor Of this
house was ablaze from Broadway to
Crosby street. A general alarm was ther
sounded and engines, hose carriages
hook and ladder trucks came rushing to-
ward the scene of the destruction from
every part of the city. The flremen were
now here, there and everywhere; their
attention being solely given up to saving
surrounding property and preventing the
flames crossing Broadway. Att P. NJ
the fire was at it's height, and the scene
in Broadway at this hour almost defles
description.
Perfect mountains Of fame arose from
the burning buildings. The fircmen were
half roasted by the heat and in great dan
ger of their lives. The air was brillian
with sparks, floating pieces of finery ant
feathers from trimming establishments
the bricks in the pavements were so no
that the water turned into steam wher,
it fell, and the heroic men at their worl
were hidden entirely from view. Thu
order was given for general retreat, an
trucks and ladders and men moved away
There was one engine that stood almos
in front of 444, and the heat was so in
tense that the horses could not be led VI
SO as to draw it away; it looked as if tn
engine would have to be deserted. TIL
men turned the hose on it, opened TIL
, valve on it, and came away. To leave
where 1t was involved the certain dc
brave fellows made rush through tn
= smoke, steam and fame to rescue il
They had just caught the pole and draw
the engine it's own length when cras
came down the solid iron columns all re
u hot into the middle of and across BroaC
way. The house of Teft Griswold, an
Co., on the opposite side of the street
' was now in the greatest danger, and t
" four brave fellows who held streal
" upon 1t in the midst OF all the falling co
umns may be attributed its safety. A
this time there was no less than 100, 0C
i people in the vicinity of the fire. Th
: flames spread to $50 and 452, through t
i Crosby street, and then worked their wa
Il through the block north to Grand stree
4 Three flrcmen were killed by falling wall
9 and Others injured.