New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-04
FIFE RECORD.
FIRE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL.

TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED CHILDREN IN BURNING
MISUNDERSTANDING OF MIND AMONG THE
TEACHERs-THE PUPILS QUIETLY DISMISSED.
Miss Macguire, the teacher of the lowest
class in the Primary Department Of Grammar School
No. IL in West Foryseyent-st., distributing saies
at 1890 H. yesterday, to the 100 pupils from six to
eght years of age In her classroom, aud while walking
10 the rear OF to examine the pupils work,
she saw a bright fame under the seats where the
children were sitting Tho seats in the are ar
ranged Is in amphitheatre. Mis- Macgmre quickly
discovered that portion Of the floor under the seats
was blazing. The occupied by Miss MacSuirc and
her assistant Miss Byrne situated in the extreme
rear OF the groundnoor OF the building. 1t is small
about fifteen feet square and divided by glass
doors from an adjoining room exactly similar Both
rooms are arranged IN the form OF an amphitheatre.
There are nine rows OF seats and each row is raised
several inches
when the teacher discovered the flames she walked
quietly out of the TO the front desk, where Mrs
McCloskcy the principal OF the Primary Department,
was sitting. and informed her OF the fire. Smoke
was beginning to curl around the back Of the
room when the principal and Miss Macgulro
returned Without telling the children OF tho danger
the order given to put away states. Children,
YOU Will now rise and follow me- said Mrs. McClOskey
The children left their and formed orderly
procession to leave the room. I'VE haven't got our
hats said one little brighteyed boy, about six years
old who was at loss 70 understand tho unusual
orders Never mind your hats" answered the
principal. in a commanding tone; Follow me-" Aud
the children led safely out into the
street. The orders were given 10 the pupils
I'm the adjoining who under the of Misses
Rothschid and Johnson. within "a few minutes after
the children left the gallery Of the rooms was
mass OF flames The westerly side and the whole floor
ing burned Ike tinder and sent out volumes Of smoke
that began TO fill every room IN the building III a
time the ceiling of the gallery took fire, and the
flames began to spread very rapidly
The register in the morning showed that there
we're twenty-five classes in session In the Primary De-
parment with an attendance OF 1,525 children; and
there 500 pupils ~ the Grammar Department on
the third floor. Fortunately about 72j Of the Primary
children had been given short recess at 1880 O'clock
which they enjoying when tue ire discovered
Thev ordered into the street To get the remain
ing 500 small children ont OF tho Primary Department
withOlr any accident for time puzzled Mrs. Me-
Closkey The stairways through which the children
would have TO walk were niled win cense smoke ana
sixty children confined In wngrOOm adjacent TO
the gallery where the IRE was raging MISS west was III
charge OF this room. she said that one boy who had
been temporarily absent from the room returned pale
with fright and excitement, and whispered that the
building was on 1re she kept MN near her, 40 tat ne
coud not communicate the news To his mates until she
received 5 1S fS hv @TS n sn Ss
children marched into the yard through clouds Of
partment dismissed with comparative ease, and
not a single child received tho slightest injury.
Through the fOuT exits from the Grammar Department,
upper floors we're safely landed in the street.
ing which took about fifteen minutes of police
men commanded by Sergeant Tuck and the tremen of
Engine Companies Nos % and 26 and Hook and Ladder
Company No were at work eItinglishing the flames.
Two hose lines carried into the building and the
FIRE was confined To the Primary Department The
families several tenement-houses IN the which
are separated from the schcol,h by small yard
about ten feet in width thrown into the greatest
CONSERVATION by flames ascending to their windows
About one hour after fire discovered there were
no traces left except Charred Seats broken walls and
glass and burned timber. The damage was - 600
together with tie loss of many hats and wraps belong
ing to the children.
Mrs McCloskey said that the teachers in her depart
ment acted with the utmost and caution In avertng
panic She said that every child left the department
under her personal instruction and in orderly
nrr She also stated that she obliged to walk
tbrough thick smoke 10 get to of the class rooms
and she was absolutely certain that child was III
iured because she went through the department
times.
The cause OF the fire ia unknown but II IL thought
that defect in pipe caused the flooring under
the seats occupied by the children 10 take fire.