New-York tribune., 1876-02-09
A BLOCK IN FLAMES.


Continued from First Page.
Rooms They were burned and building erected
that was occupied by Buffers American Theater.
This was burned in the year that the old Volunteer
Fire Department was broken up and the present
paid department organized Then the building that
was burned last night erected.
As near as could be learned the FIRE started in the
rear of the premises of Lescher, Whitman & Co.,
dealers in buttons, Lace and other goods Of that
description. They had just got in large stock and
their loss was roughly estimated at $25O,O0O.
The second floor was occupied by Snedeker, Wat
rous g. Boynton, dealers in ladies' ties. handker-
chefs and fancy goods. Their loss is estimated at
$15OOOO.
Williams, Smith & Co., dealers in fancy goods, oc-
cupied the third floor. Their loss is estimated at
5000 900.
Seidenbach Schwab & Co. occupied the fourth
floor as a manufactory of ladies' apparel Their loss
is estimated at $4,000.
Peake Kramer g. Co., manufacturers OF cloaks, oc-
cupied tho fifth floor. and lost $4,000.
The first floor Of Nos. 44S and 40 Broadway was
occupied by Catlin, Brundrett & Co.. importers and
obbers of cloths and woolens. Their store extended
through to Crosbyst. and their stock was reported
to have been very large and valuable. Their loss is
estimated to exceed 100000
On the same floor were Mr.. Solomon, dealer in
cloths and A. Abernethy each firms loss being esti-
timated Mt $4,000.
A. G.. Gushing had Just moved into the second
floor and his loss not ascertained.
The third. fourth. and fifth floors were occupied
by George f. shorridge & Co.. dealers and import
ers of clothing and woolen goods. Their loss is esti-
mated at 100000.
No. 452 Broadway was occupied on the first floor
BY Powers, CASTOR & Co., jobbers in shoes their
loss will not exceed $75, 900, it was believed.
Phelps & Everdell, Smith & Charles Ames occupy
the second floor for manufacturing purposes, and
their loss was estimated at about $50, 900.
Hornthal, Whitehead & Co., on the third floor.
were reported to have had very heavy stock OF
cloths and wooens and their loss, if total, was es-
timated at 100000.
Mr. Swinson occupied the fifth floor for manufac-
turing purposes and his loss is estimated at about
$4,000
The property on Grand-st. was occupied by several
firms whose aggregate loss is estimated at $4,000
The Continental Hotel and dinng-rOoms were
burned out. The furniture and fixtures were the
property of Charles Meredith, whose loss 1t Is estl-
mated, will exceed $4,000.
The amount of insurance was estimated in the
aggregate, by several insurance men who were at
the tire, to be aboul S2.5OO,000.
INCIDENTS OF THE CONFEDERATION.
On the corner of Grand-st. and Broadway an old
man has candy stand. which is a permanent insti-
tuition and locked up at night. The old fellow was
on hand in good season looking after his wares, and
anxiously seeking information as to the fire reach
ing his establishment. The showers of sparks
and burning bits of wood that fell also cause
of anxiety to him. and he was kept very busy brush
ing them off his stand. These 6rebrands fell far and
wide, and people near by employed them
selves diligently in protecting their roofs
from this danger. The iron shutters over
the windows, especially those of corrugated
iron seemed to writhe in the grasp of the fire, and
when at last they were melted off their hinges they
fell IA pieces in many cases The telegraph wires
curled themselves mp like so much thread in the
blaze and their parted ends formed tangle in the
streets below which caused vexatious lmpedi-
ment to men and horses.
The behavior Of the horses at the fire was note
worthy There was, Of course. besides the glare and
heat and volumes of smoke and sparks, very great
noise; yet the horses the hose-carts were driven
up close to the fire necessary, without showing
any reluctance. They merely preserved an attitude
of great attention.
A curious freak of the fire was observable before
the front of the Continental Hotel was fairly ablaze.
The base of the agstai on the hotel was untouched,
but the top had caught fire. and little red pennant
streamcd out though the hre had set III there as
its flying banner indicating its victory.
BY the fall of portion of the cornce of one of
the buildings Chief Eli Bates, in command of
the Fire Department, was struck In the face, but
happily the hurt not serious ono, and did not
prevent his attention to tho labOrs of the iremen.
An almost Incredible story Is told of representa-
tive of one of the firms whose stores were destroyed
When il became evident that their store could not
be saved, Detective John II. B-itton was asked to
go in and bring out box of valuable bonds, which
they indicated. lie did at n great risk, and re-
turned with the precious box Whereupon, so 1t was
said the owner offered the detective : bill. which
he Of course refused to take.
As il became known that the iremen had gained
control of the fire. the crowds began to dsperse and
by 10 o'clock the streets were comparatively empty
/ he police however, still kept all persons without
badges from approaching the near vicinity OF the
fire. The engines continued TO play upon the ruins
long after all danger was over.
By midnight the place had quiet and melancholy
aspect The interior and east and west sides OF the
block were reduced TO a of embers from which
arose "a dense cloud of steam and smoke. ana clng-
ing To the sides and of the buildings which re-
NAMED could be family fragments of broken
walls and roofing, with here and there a piece OF
easement still burning
DEATH OF AN INJURED FIREMAN.
Ii il reported that John II. Bush, the assist
ant foreman OF Engine No 30 who was Injured by The
falling OF the wall of the Continental Hotel died shortly
after reaching Hospital The list OF wounded at the
nr.u nece nv very imDcrfcct