The New York herald., 1879-07-14
DESTROYED BY FIRE.

THE NEW YORK PLASTER MILLS BURNED DOWN
AND OTHER BUILDINGS DAMAGED-sUsPI-
cIoNs OF INcENDIARIsM.
fire of formidable proportions and suspicious
origin broke out in the four story brick building
running from No. Ago to ATS Cherry street. at
halfpast four O'Clock A. NJ. yesterday. The prem
ises occupied by vantuyle Co.. and are known
the New York Plaster Mills. where the manufac-
ture of plaster of Paris marble dust metallic paints
and terra alba is carried The flames spread with
startling rapidity to Nos. TIC and 71S Water
street. and blazed with destructive fury
consuming everything in its path. The premises
reduced to a complete wreck. The first and
second floors were occupied by A.. T. Tabor & Co..
dealers in marbles the second and third stories by
yantuyle Co. That part Of the building num-
berod TIC was occupied by Samuel Ayres as boat
building establishment. Nothing was saved Of the
contents of these buildings and the losses said
to be very heavy. Nothing bnt portions of the
blackened walls remain standing.
The New York Plaster Mills is located in the CEN
ire OF the block in Cherry street, with frontage of
seventyhve feet. and extends 100 feet back toward
Water street. The houses in the vicinity mostly
diapidated structures and are occupied as stores,
factories and wood yards. The block opposite on
Cherry street is crowded with tenemens. AT Corlear
and Water streets is located the New York Sugar Re-
fining Companys eight story brick building,
tension OF which consumed, but by the energetic
action of the fremen the main edifce escaped
scathed.
The police were unable to ascertain the cause of
the fire. strong suspicion exists that it of in
cendiary origin The mills have not been running
for the past three weeks. Owing to some legal
trouble with creditors the Plaster Mills have been in
charge of the Sheriff whose watchman, John
Moriarty, was appointed to take charge of the
property. The latter. it seems has neglected his
duties. He says he poorly paid for his labor
and wanted to throw up the job. He knows nothing
regarding the origin OF the flames.
EXPLOSION.
When the firemen arrived the doors and windows
found to be securely fastened and the building
enveloped in sheet of flame. Suddenly low
rumblng sound heard from within. and the
windows burst open by explosion. From
the first there was no possibility of getting the fire
therefore concentrated on the adjoining buildings
At time 1t feared that the refinery would be
included in the wreck Powerful streams were
poured upon the threatened structure from
all directions, dcuging it with water.
two story extension, known the
Charcoal House," caught fire and burned
to the ground. With the exception OF the extension
of the refinery all tho burned buildings belong to
the ketetas estate the agents of which, II. and f.
A. Keteltas, have their offices ut No. 73 william
street. The premises were old and dilapdated. and
their loss is estimated at $4,000. vantuye Co.
lose $4,000 In stock and machincry Taber, So OO0
Ayres, $500; the North River Refinery, $1,000, and
Ward son, OF No. 4G7 Cherry street, whose stables
Vnntuyle Il Co. in the country. The insurance
patrol in charge of the burned promises believe tho
buildings and their contents to be heavily insured
Before moving to their present location he firm OF
Vantuyle x Co. had been burned out three four
times.