The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-12
THE SOUTH BROOKLYN FIRE

AMONG THE RUINS OF TAYLoEs CHEMICAL
MANUFAcToRY-o OF THE riRE-orrI-
cIAL lNvEs1IGATIoN-Loss, ONE HUNDRED
AND FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
The vicinity OF the OF Taylor's chemical manu-
factory Sackett street, between Van Brun street
and Ferry place. South Brooklyn which establishment
destroyed by fire at carly hour sunday morning.
reported in the HERALD yesterday, the scene
OF a large gathering of people during tho cntro day.
Ten engine companies kept NJ work on the burn
ing building til faybrcak under tho direction OF Chief
Engineer Aevns and Assistant Engineer Dale. Tho
hrc was confined 10 the immense structure in which
IL originated, owing 10 tac excellent management
OF the Fro Department. and the fears OF the occupants
OF the dcnsely crowded tenement houses on Union
street therefore allaycd considerable extent
During tho forenoon Engine Companies Nos ., 3, and
0 remained the ground and poured coplous streams
OF water into the smculdcrng mass OF timbcrs and
chemical compounds. The walls on the ives; side Of
the factory were torn down u measure OF safety,
and their descent they crushed part OF the roofs
OF two small two story frame buildings which were
used liquor saloon and boarding house Tor sailors,
on sackett street. Tho last engine companies TO leave
the premises Nos ana D. ut three O'Clock ycster
day Three hose connections kept the
hydranis, however, and streams of water Kept
constantly pouring upon the smoking ,,mbers in
10 si1rc against the dying names DeinE lunEeu intO
lie by the strong breeze which prevailed
THE
Tho report circulated during the progress oil the
migration that tho Are occurred from tho explosion OF
boiler in the factory proved to be incorrect, tho
boiler remains intact and good condition. The pre-
origin OF the IRE remains mystery. Tho building
formerly used as "a pork packing establishment,
and the lmbcrs were pretty thoroughly saturated with
grease. IL commented upon as som cwhat remark.
able that the structure should have yielded reauiIy
tho OF the flames much as the contents OF
the building composed largely OF chemical mate
rails which are supposed to be oil u combustlbo
nature.
A LIVELY SCARE
The fall OF the rear wall, about two O'Clock in tho
morning. damaged the extension or lower part OF No.
II Union street, crushing through the roof 10 tho
cellar terribly frightening Dennis Leahy, who
in tho apartment when tho pile Of brick and mortar
went crashing through. Tho noise made by the falling
wall used great alarm among tho tenants resident
thar place and tho adjoining houses, ana gave rise to
the rumor that tho damage 10 Mr. Leahy's house had
been occasoned by the explosion OF both the
boilers the factory. Great quantities OF furniture
were Tor short time piled up on Union street in
evacuation OF the surrounding houses. IL was
made apparent, however, that The iremen had full
control OF the fire, aud the poor people, beng thus
treasured, returned to Their homes.
FIRE MAIsHAL's INVESTIGATION.
Fire Marshal Ready began investigation to nSCcr-
tam the OF Tho fire. The first Witness examined
Thomas Harris, who testified that he employed
engineer ut j. Monroe 1ayors chemical works.
Nos D. "a 10 IS and so Sackctt street, and had entire
charge all tho boilers. furnaces and machinery he
lett the building al 1.-Two O'Clock on Saturday evening"
as IL was 10 close NJ that hour on
there little fire banked up in THO furnace, and
the boilers filled up, usual with about twenty
five pounds Of steam on; the machinery was st0pped
The tank nth floor Of the building, which dis
trioutcd water through the house, was full. He
then testified as foows:-The furnace and
hnla arA M QlIA
main building lnd have no connection with IL; these
sheds anu the boilers and furnaces are now intact the
main buildings connected by supply steam Pipe;
mono OF the boilers exploded; there lire OF any
Kind tue main building, not even gus light; the
dryng and the NTH floor was heated by steam there
only about twenty-five pounds OF steam heat there
When the factory was closed on Saturday evening.
The witness said he had carefully examined the prem
but could not tell what caused the FIRE; he was
sure did not come from tho engine There
was he SAID special Waterman to take care OF tho
premises ut night
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TESTIMONY.
George +. Peck superintendent OF tho chemical
works, testified that he lett the factory shortly before
O'Clock Saturday evening. and the place all
closed then except the front door, which be
barred by ShevlIn, the fireman there light
fire any kind In the building when witness left,
cept the ire 10 the furnuCe; about twenty men wore
employed IN the establishment; the materials manu-
facturcd were saierutus, Oicarbonaie OF soda,
baking powders, caustic soda, sal soda and
ground cream Of tartar; none OF these materials
with IL would not burn there were no swccpings or
other rubbish In the building that would takc ire.
, heard any threats OF burning the building;
the did participate the late strike; Tor light
ing purposes lard OIL mixed with machinery OIL,
used there Kerosene Oil on the premises there
were TWO gas burners IN tho engine room and one ON
the second and tuird stories respectively the business
OF the factory was good. and tho men worked fifteen
hours every day except Saturday.
STATEMENT OF THE PROPRIETOR
Mr.. j. Monroe Taylor, proprietor OF the chemical
works, wbosc testimony was taken ut the Gramercy
lark House by tue Fnc Marsha, testified toliows-
had not been in the factory for several days the
bu dings from No. Is to No. 80 Sackctt street, in
elusive; the main building stories high, be-
siacs the cellar built OF BRICK wall "a inches at
bottom and II inches ut tue top; We 10
have hose there and l know had
BaDcocK's Fire Extinguisncr there; considered the
buildings proof against fire; have visited the
to-day md that the buildings almost entirely
destroyed; estimate my loss On buildings ut about
$50 COO insured Tor $2S. 900 IN New lork and other
ins trance companies; / estimate the loss
chincry $50 900; insured Tor $23 pa 80 III the
companies that have the buildings; estimate my loss
ON sock at $4,000 $1,000; insured tor
$43, 9l3 99 have had large
tire; there nothing the stock articles
used there would create spontaneous conbustion
| know oil difficulty among the men employed
there except this that iew weeks ago got letter
stating there had been stealing going there aud
that she could prove 1t; know nothing about IL por
suualiy; had no regular wuichiDau there all night;
my office is ut No. IL Liberty street, New York.
LOSSES AND ASSURANCES.
Mr. Taylor furnished the FIRE Marshal with the fol-
loving list OF losses and ms uranccs -
On buildings .............. $3oOUU SIS, 700 20
ON machinery ............. oo,OpV 20, - %
On stock. ................. $1,000 43.9I3 10
Total loss. $l40,OO0