The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-18
PRICE TWO CENTS.
THE FISH MARKET BURNED.
RAPID FLAMES DESTROTING TIE mo
SOUTH STREET BUILDING.
Nibsy's Prompt Alarm Of no Avnii-The Fulton
Market shanties Endangered The Losses
25,OOO-The FIshmanRers Association.


Market shnntiss Endangered - The Losses
s1e5,OOO-The FIshmanRers' Association.
Nbsy, the Fulton Market bootblack, stood
at o'clock yesterday afternoon gazing at the
tall masts Of the Three Brothers when he saw
n flame In the vast lofts Of the extensive build
ing OF the Fulton Market Fshmongors Asso-
citation, across South street from Fulton Market.
Although there were many marketmen oung-
ing ut the corners near by nobody needed
Nibsy's cry Of Fire I" He ran to the house Of
Engine 80 and gave the alarm. The fremcn
responded quickly. Engine 80 was put to work
at the big hydrant at Fulton and South streets.
Tho doors OF the FISH market were broken in.
volume Of thick. black oily smoke drove the
flremen back for an instant and the cracking
OF flames was heard. Almost instantly tho en-
tire building. nearly 400 feet in length. was
seen TO be on nre. Capt McGee Of steamer 81
sent out two alarms. and summoned the FIRE
steamers Havemeyer and Seneca. He saw at
n glance that the large Fulton Market rookery
was threatened. and that prompt work was
needed to save II.
The building Of the Fulton Market Fish,
mongers Association. according to James Sui
lvan. the veteran clerk Of the company. was
built In 1868. Prior to that time the fish lea!-
ers' stands wero scattered here and there.
They had no place In which to meet and fix
prices or discuss the value OF cargoes OF fish.
In the evenings the Leading firms mot In the
noiRhborhood saloons. Their conferences,
however. were not sufficiently private. and IL
was determined that n company should bs
formed. At first a few smacks were purchased.
and the hands were sent out to different points
to get fish for the association. II was a risky
venture but 1t paid and soon other
members came In. Through political influence,
the block bounded by Beekman, Fulton. and
South streets and the river was leased from the
city. at n mere nominal price. for ten years.
Barnard Kelly put up the building, charging
the association t50,OO0. and insuring ii for
$4,000 On Oct l. loGS, II was completed. and
on the 18th Of that month an opening reception
was attended by all the influential TnmmRny
politicians. The market was turned into "A ball
room. The business start OF the company. too.
was mnde with flourish OF trumpets. No such
organization had ever been made on 50 extern
sive q plan. and II was accepted as a great ben
eilt 10 tho public. From twenty to thirty smRcks
daily were anchored at the pier: barks and
sloops came from Newfoundland and other
ports. IL was the msst remarkable llsh depot in
the world.
The news Of the fire drew an immense mutt
tude and the police kept II back with great d NJ
Guilty. Many were personally Interested be-
cause the building was their place OF earning a
livelihood. and great was tho anxiety rs they
watched tho flames rapidly spreading. At tho
fire was at its height The wooden structure.
permeHtpd with oil. blazed furously. Tho fre-
men clnmbcred to the roof of the old market
md directed their streams from that point
Twenty engines were used. but without saving
the tlsh market. which by was totally destroyed.
Tho firms occupying stands in the burned
building, all oil whom are insured. are: