The New York herald., 1879-02-07
FIRE AT HUNTERS POINT.
ONE FAITHFUL WORKMAN BURNED TO CRISP
AND ANOTHER BADLY INJURED-D. RosEN-

ONE FAITHFUL WORKMAN BURNED TO CRISP
AND ANOTHER BADLY INJURED-D. RosEN-
BERG SONS FACTORY DEsTRoYED.
Black clouds Of smoke filled the air at Hunters
Point. L. l.. yesterday afternoon. The decks Of
passing steam and ferry boats filled with per-
gazing at the vast volumes that rolled. twisted
and oated off in the distance. and specializing as to
the result while on land hundreds of men. women
and children hastened to the confaeration and lin
gered about the spot until the flames lessened and
one small blaze alone remained.
The fire originated in the manufactory Of d.
Rosenberg Sons, East Fifth street. and first
noticed at about ten minutes to two O'Clock by
Adolph volkert. shipping clerk in Messrs. Rosen-
berg's employ. He was sitting in his Office up stairs
when he heard a noise If explosion had oc
CURED. Rushing to his office window he saw the
flames shoot forth from the windows of the mix
ing department ON the ground floor. The next
minute the whole building was enveloped in
fire. He rushed out into the street and
there met Richard Armstrong, foreman of the varnish
manufactory of T. Smith 4 Co., situated next door,
Armstrong while ut work had also heard the noise of
the explosion and seen the flames burst forth He
had out into Fifth street and tried to force open
the doors Of the room on the ground foor Of Rosen
berg's building. but they fastened on the inside
and not knowing that any ones life was in danger
busted himself in removing infamnlable material.
Rosenberg's manufactory was two story brick
rooms, the one being used for mixing varnish.
Shortly before the explosion Charles Hoffman. as
sistant foreman for Messrs. Rosenberg was in this
room His duties were to see to the making Of what
il known black varnish large fire is kept going
in this apartment aud the material is placed in
large kettle with a capacity OF seven barrels.
This kettle Is placed on wheels and as the
material heats is gradually drawn out from the
fire. SO that it's contents may not boil over. Hoff-
man evidently allowed the stuff to heat to too great
extent, and then, alarmed. drew 1t rapidly out of
the fire. But the varnish already boiling up in
the vessel and pouring its sides. Tie mixture
ran into the fire. and, the doors of the furnace being
open. the flames shot forth The filed
with ignitabe stnff aud the flames spread rapidly,
soon enveloping the unfortunate workman.
VAIN ATTEMPT TO RESCUE
Charles Vorgang foreman i'll the same building,
heard the explosion and seeing the flames started
into the mixing room to save his companion. Az he
opened the door barrel OF turpentine exploded.
This increased the force OF the flames and Voreang
rushed out, but not i'll time to escape serious injur-
les. His face badly burned and it is thought he
is internally injured
Alarms were sounded and the Police and Fire de-
partnents of Long Island City responded. The fire.
men, under Chief Joseph Stevenson, arrived with
seven hose and three trucks of the volunteer depart
ment These prevented the fire from spreading, but
did not stop the destruction Of kosenbergs factory
block must have been destroyed
HoFFMAN's BODY uNREcoGNIZABLE.
Hoffmans body when recovered. at about half-past
four was unrecognizable. 1t had been the prey of
the flames for about two hours and half. When
brought forth from the. burning of debris it
was found that the legs and head were burned
away. great crowd surged around the Coroner's
wagon in which the box containing the remains was
driven away. Hoffman was thrty-fve years old, and
was looked upon by his employers faithful
hard-working and invaluable man. He lived in Hop
kins street. Williamsburg, and leaves poor. con-
sumptve widow and family of three little children
At seven o'clock last evening. although the build
ing still ablaze. the fire was believed to be under
control. The members of the Fire Department
worked earnestly during the progress of the
hagrston and by their efforts saved the surrounding
buildings.
The crowds of people who gathered around tho
building at times allowed much too near
back Several explosions occurred, but not serious
enough the send the flaming stuff into the street.
ESTIMATED LOSSES.
The burned building and its contents, as stated
above, owned by D. Rosenberg 4 Sons. The
damage is estimated at S50.00O. About $4,000
of this is the building. the rest on the stock
which was large and expensive. The firm insured
in about twenty different companies but the insur-
ance 1t is said, will not one-third Of the dam
building These all escaped injury with the excep-
ton noted above. The building IL 75 feet front by
100 feet long. 1t was in the centre or the block.
On the north the mauufactory of E. Smith
Co., of No. 1853 william street. this city. varnshes
This building was damaged by water and the roof Of
an outbuilding broken in. Loss about 81. 500,
fully insured. To the west was the varnish manu-
factory of Emil Colman h Co., of No. 1851 Pearl
street. this city. This damaged by water-not
to the south, owned by Z. Collnan & Co., was torn
down to stay the progress Of the flames Loss 1000
Rosenberg Il Sons have an Office at No. 178 Pearl
street. this city.