The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-24
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ABLAzE
The Nassau Linseed OIL Works Totally De
stroyed-A Lo.. Of ae76, 900.

The Nassau Linseed Oil Works In Brook
lyn. owned by Fowler. Champion 4 Co.. were
destroyed by fire last night. causing n loss Of
nearly $3.50 900. Other property in the neigh
borhood valued at $3.50 was also destroyed.
The works were the largest o! the kind in
Brooklyn. extending from 55 to 63 Furman
street. the buildings being four stories in
height, with frontage of 120 feet. and ex-
tending fifty feet back. There was also n rear
building seven stories in height. extending to
the buildings 30. 80. "a. and SO Columbia
Heights. which were also owned by the COM
pany. There was large courtyard in the rear.
whore several immense oil tanks were kept.
The lower portion OF the buildings on Column
bia Heights was used by tho company for dry
ing purposes. A few minutes before o'clock
flames were seen to break out suddenly from
tho top story Of one Of the Furman street
buildings. and almost simultaneously Michael
Burns. tho engineer discovered sparks falling
through the elevator. There we're over forty
men nj work In the lower stories at the time. all
OF them unconscious that fire was raging over
The engineer lost no time in giving the alarm.
ana the workmen retreatod through the wide
doors leading into Furman street. The flames
spread with such rapidty that no effort could
be made To save any OF the property. Tho many
fire engines that we're soon ut work made slight
impression on the lire. which burned steadily y
upward and TO the right and left until
1t encompassed all the building described
above. The heat was very intense. and the wa
ter had to be thrown from n long distance. At
10 o'clock the fire was at it's height, max
ing n brilliant spectacle. which was
viewed by thousands. Columbia Heights
for blocks around was thronRed with
spectators. and tho scene on the river
when the shipping and ferryboats were brought
into bold relief was very striking. Tho cner-
giles ot the nromen were taxed 20 the utmost TO
prevent the flames extending TO the adjoining
property. but after q long struggle they were
successful. and gained control Of the confagra-
ton which threatened at one time to extend
The fire. It is thought. originated in some
seed which was stored in the ton story Of tho
building. At midnight all danger Of the spread
OF the fire was past. but the dremen and police
Only few weeks ago Messrs Fowler Cramp-
ton Co. extended their business and moved
IN a large quantity Of new and, valuable ma
chinery. the destruction Of which has sweed
their losses which they estimate az $3.50 OOO
all covered by insurance.
Some OF the upper stories In the Columbia
sons. whose losses were as follows: No. Sc oc-
cupied by the Union Toy Manufacturing Com
pany. W. Graft, agent, loss $4,000, no insur-
Ance No so. occupied by Thomas Cox manu-
insurance. No. So until recently occupied by
Adam Hallock. manufacturers OF silver
ware. now in tho hands ot ]. 5. Ruttven. n
lawyer Of this city: loss. $1,000: no insurance.
No is Columbia Heights. owned and occupied
b& James O'Neill. shoemaker; loss. 81 800 (;
insured.
each containing 25. 600 gallons OF oil. and ten
tanks containing 3 900 gallons.
At tl2:15 A. NJ, Watson's stores on Furman
street. about 100 yards from the burning build
ings. were found to be on fire. Several engines
were set TO work, and the floors were flooded
with water. The fire. however could not be
controlled. and NJ O'Clock II was feared that
Watsons and Harbeok's stores would be de-
strOyed.