New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-09
DICE AND PROGRESS OF THE FIRE.

RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE FIRE.
swIPTNEss WITH WEIGH THE PLANES GAINED
BEADwAY-THE CONFEDERATION FAR ADVANCED
BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE FiRkMEN-
p.rurNa THE FLAMFs-THE FIRE EATS ITS
WAY FROM BUILDING To BUILDING IN SPITE OF
ruy EFFORTS To CHECK Tits ADVANCE
ALONG THE BROADWAY FRONT OF THR BLOCK.
While the streets were filed last night with the
crowds of people going home from their daily occu-
nations the sky over the center of the business por-
tim of the city, almost with the suddenness OF an
exnlosion was illuminated with the urid glare OF a
great FIRE which was reflected in ruddy CLEAN from
everv window and prominent object within long
d;stance. what can it be y was the question on
eyerybody's lips and even the fremen were sur
prised, and found the swiftness OF the 'eie-
graphic alarm had not outrun the flames,
for when they opened the doors OF their
engine-houses the Pickering hight OF the
fire fasbed-n reflection from their FURNISHED
steamers The alarms called them to the building
covering Nos. 444 and 446 Broadway, which IS
nearly in the middle Of the block between Howard
and Grand-sts, and extending through to Crosby-st.
This splendid Iron-fronted structure was occupied
by several importers. The first floor contained the
stock of Lescher Whitman Co., consisting OF fine
neck-wear laces rufes, and the like. The second
t0Of was occupied Dy Shcuckef, i''NH-
ton. importers and dealers in ladies' ties handker
chiefs, and fancy goods The third floor was used
by VIM. Smith & Co., who had a similar stock; the
fourth floor BY Seidenbach Schwaab & Co., rs man
ufacturers and the top hoor was given up to the
establishments of Peake, Kramer g. Co.
1t would seem probable that IN building so fully
occupied, in prominent portion of the city, fire
could make no great Roadway within few moments
after the closing of the shutters OF the stores, yet
the members Of Hook and Ladder Company No. s,
who were first upon the ground, declare that the
flames were bursting out Of every window when
they reached the spot, and it evident that no
efforts could the structure from destruction.
second and third alarms followed the first in
rapid succession and called all the engines of the
district, which were put to work at every hydrant
IN the vicinity until that whole section OF the city
resounded with their hoarse labors. Then special
orders were sent out and every piece OF apparatus
in the city that could be spared was brought to the
spot until half the Fire Department were on duty.
Meanwhile the police Of the Fourteenth Precinct,
under Capt Allaire, debarred passage through the
adjacent streets and few except fremen were to be
seen in the vicinity. These fremen worked nobly.
They poured half dozen streams of water
upon the blazing 'front.' and only fell back
. little when it's fall seemed imminent They
carried hose through the scuttles of neigh
boring buildings on both Sides and shot streams of
water from the roofs of the opposite building on
Broadway and on Crosby-st., at the same time
drenching the fronts OF every structure near by IN
vain effort to stay the irresistible progress of the
fire. No one who was not at the cOnflagration can
realize the intensity of the heat. The sidewalks on
the opposite side of Broadway 50 hot, even rs
far away as the corners of Grand-st. and Howard
It, that only persons with thick-sOled shoes could
bear to stand them. The plate glass of the fronts
opposite to the fire cracked into thousands of pieces,
and only the constant washing Of water from many
lines Of hose saved the buildings from ignitips. At
this time the structure in which the fire started still
stood erect bearing most Of its floors, and support
Ing q solid body of fame which rose hun
bred feet above the roof. To expect to
conquer such terrible power seemed the
widest extravaganza of hope, yet the men still
fought its advance at every point and only retreaed
when the ground on which they stood was crumbling
beneath their feet On the roofs Of the stores front
ing on ward-st. was at this time collected little
body of tiremen, chiefly belonging to Hook and Lad
der No. 8, with some hose men. They were trying
to save the rear of the Continental Hotel at No 442
Broadway, bat their efforts seemed only to in
crease the fury of the fire. which mounted up and
eurled over the sides of the building flying III their
faces and cutting off their retreat to the scuttles
through which they assembled. There was no
other way Of getting down, and their situation
grew every second more critical. The tin roof
Oh which they stood was warped and lOosened from
Its fastenings under the heat The telegraph sup
ports beside them caught fire. and were charred
until they fell. The leather hats Of the men shriv-
eled out of shape upon their heads and their coats
were scorched with the fierce breath Of the enemy
they were fighting aud still they stood their ground
and battled with 1t until fortunate change in the
wind allowed them to creep back to the scuttles and
to safety. was struggle for life, but it resulted
In saving the building and afterward this same roof
was vantage ground easily held.
The story of the contest on Broadway was repeated
In Crosby-st., where not only the wall Of Nos
444 and 440 was burning. but also the rear Of the
Continental Hotel was q mass Of fame. The back
part of the hotel contained the kitchen and kitchen
store-rooms Of the house, and burned with extra
ordinary ferceness which seemed to indicate tina,
peculiarly inAammable materials such oil or spir
it's contributed to its heat Above the kitchen were
lodgng-rooms, and 1t was possible at one time Il
look into many Of these through lurid vail, now
and then the banners Of dame were waved aside.
There were the beds and two three chairs In each
little room, the small table which had not yet
thrown down its burden Of books crockery cloth.
Ing could still be seen hanging against the wall II
was only for Q moment that these gmpsss were
possible and the whole fell an indstinguishable
pile Of embers.
1t was at this time that the fire reached its hight
and threatened to assume tho power Of condagra-
ton which should brook no interference with its
onward march. The air rushed into tho vortex Of
ascending flame from every direction and lifted the
fire in gigantic pillows that rolled aloft In roaming
surges to q great hight The flames spread their
Light over the wide expanse Of the city and aorosa