The New York herald., 1879-02-28
FIFTH AVENUE ALARMED.


NER OF FIFTY-rHInD STREET, BURNED TO
THE GRoUND-MANY VALUABLE HORSES DE-
srRoYED-- ESTIMATED LOSS OF S120, 600.
While the snow was falling and strong gallo
swept the deserted streets at halfpast two o'clock
yesterday morning. the glare of conlagration Lit
tne skies. Fifth avenue from one end to the other
was illuminated. and grave speculatons were in
duiged in by those who astir as to the location
and extent OF the fre Its origin and the manner Of
its discovery We're somewhat peculiar. the former
indeed being involved in little mystery. 1t
ON the second floor Of the four story stable at Nos.
and East Fifty-third street, occupied by S. A.
Frey. that the fire first showed itself The watch
man, John Sherman awakened by the smoke, at
tempted to force an entrance into the burning
rooms but was driven back by cloud of smoke In
the excitement of the moment he was al a loss how
to act but after a moments hesitation barred the
outer door and made for the nearest district tele.
graph Office. in Sixth avenue
ALARM SOUNDED.
Thence the alarm was sounded. and almost stimuli
taneousy Roundsman Minck and Officer Heize. Of
the Nineteenth precinct. who saw the smoke rising
from the windows, sounded similar CALL The loca-
ton being such to suggest the possibility con-
siderable damage no time was lost in turning out
adequate force, and steamers Nos 8. 49, 81 26 and9
hand detachment OF hook and lad
der men also hurried to the scene and Captain
Mount, with the of the Nineteenth, Twen-
tieth. Twenty and Twenty-eighth precincts
was not slow in getting to his post.
The fire by this time had gained full headway, and
the dense volumes of smoke rushing from the stable
openings cloHded the street and blinded the laborng
iremen. Owing to the watchman having securely
fastened the doors another obstacle presented.
which the hook and ladder men had some diffculty
crash. and of disorder ensued. cloud Of
fire and smoke dark, threatening and dangerous
swept through the opening and drove every one
before it, There confused and conflicting
shouts cries and ORDERS and for awhile the cool
headed fire ladies were partially stupeAed. At this
moment, it is said by some five high booded horses
which had broken loose from their fastenings burst
into the crowd and made oh in the tumult.
HARD AT WORK.
1t required but instant for order be restored
and then the went to work with will Axes
were applied ladders reared and half dozen streams
of water were turned upon the flaming timbers. It
of little avail. though The fire had swept
through the whole extent OF the building and burst
ing overhead, threatened the houses on either
side. To add to the excitement OF the scene, the
house next door seemed to be filled with frightened,
half-crazed young women who in the deliriums Of
the moment sought every available and in many
cases extremely dangerous means OF escape. The
two score pupils awakened from their slumbers by
the noise OF the conhagration could with difficulty be
restored to discipline and conducted to places of
FALL THE WALLS
Meantime a second alarm had been sounded aud
swept on and the whole block seemed likely to Weld
to them third call had to be given. and was soon
after followed by general alarm. The neghbor-
hood of Fifth avenue and Fiftythird street now
swarinng with engines. Fully thirty streams Of
water turned upon the burning building and
the adjoining houses, but it only when the walls
fell with crash that feeling of security began
be entertained. The fall did considerable damage
Miss Reeds seminary, but far less than at first
apprehended.
WHAT CAUsKD THE FIRE?
The cause Of the fire could not be ascertained An
not definitely settled. The fact that the rope of
the elevator by which horses and rolling stock could
be lowered had been cut by some unknown hand cast
a shadow of suspicion on the origin of the conhagra-
ton. which is being thoroughly investigated by the
Fire Marshal
The stables were owned by Maturin Livingston and
the loss il estimated at $600OO which is about
half the total damage the other 100000 being on
horses, carriages sleghs and harness. Following is
list OF the animals and vehicles destroyed together
with their estimated value hrs Tobias sister Of
the late Mrs. Nathan two horses and carriage; Mr..
ID. p. Morgan OF Fifth avenue, three horses named
Doe. Major and General. also fancy pony and
two carriages; J. r. Pratt, three horses
rage; Mrs. q. b. Scranton two horses valued at
900 each Casper Singer. Of No. III East Sixtysxth
street, two horses, together valued ut 81 ,5U0
Alderman Dooey, two horses-one named Ruby.
$500. the other named Dick. valued 81 00U
saa carriage nag land ana @ gnt 81 wagon worth "a sleigh
valued ut $500; Jacob Hayes. two horses valued ~
81 200, also carriage and sleigh; J. r. Payne. OF
No. West Ffty-third street, two horses valued at
$4,000; II. p. Charles, of No. 440 Madison avenue,
two horses valued ut $500 each Thomas s. Buck
ingham. three horses valued ut $1,000 each; J. G.
Winchester Of Staten Island, two horses valued at
$l.5O0; H. d. Dunham. two horses and a trotter
with record Of 2:25. worth si,l0J. also carriage
worth $1,000; Mr. Burkan. of No. Cos Fifth avenue.
two horses valued at $500 each and carriage MIR.
Bishop. two horses valued at $1,000 each. two car.
rages worth $4,000 each and four light wagons valued
at 81 900; Frank Taylor. OF Fiftieth street.
horse; A. H. Haveneyer of No. 55S Madison avenue,
two horses valued ut $500 each.