New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-08-05
A FERRY-HOUSE IN FLAMES.
THE PENNSYLVANIA BUILDINGS BURNED.


| confagration which threatened TO destroy the
entire plant of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
on the North River front at Jersey City
broke out at about 1l:15 last night.
The origin Of the fire IL not positively
! known, but it is believed to have been caused
by the explosion of a gas tank which was located
under the passenger entrance TO the ferry ter
rife noise was heard. and the next moment ire
entire ferry house was envsloped in flames
woman was passing through the entrance at the
time and her clothing was set on ire.
She was hurried on board the boat. Robert Jones'
the fcrrymaster. and Captain Baechus, the ticket
collector, are believed 10 have been blown 10
atoms. and no trace of them had been DIS
covered at an early hour this morning. In
a few minutes after the explosion the
entire ferry -hOuse was in flames ana the
fire quickly aud steadily extended to the piers and
buildings TO the north and south OF the Terry
The heat was so intense that the FIRE
Department could not get near enough
to render effective service The railroad company
Tugs, which are all provided with fire extingushihg
apparatus. steamed up the river side ana
| rendered such aid as they could
EXTENT OF THE DESTRUCTION.
At 1890 a. m. all the ferry houses and the eA
! tensve passenger depot had been burned down anu
the fire was still raging. Half an hour later the
Pullman Palace Car shed and Adams Express Co.'S
pier were enveloped in the flames and there seemed
10 be no chance of saving them. The rail-
| road company's general offices, which were
located over the ferry house and passenger
depot. are all DESTROYED together with the valua-
bic books and papers which they contained. The
buildings were all constructed of wood
and there were five slips for the
accommodation of the ferryboats. four
of the slips being IN constant use. The ferry
bindings were entirely reconstructed a few years
ago at a great expense The passenger depot
was large and c0mmodious building. one story
high will an arched root. II was built about ten
wears ago and was then SAID 10 be the largest
depot in this part of the country.
When the fire broke out all the locomotives in the
ward which had steam mp were set at work hauling
out the cars and 10 is believed that nearly all the
cars have been saved.
The explosion was terrific and was Immediately
followed by sheet Of flames. which
through the roof As soon as could
recover myself 1 went 70 IayloTs Hotel anu
remained an hour. There little danger
ire j, running north away -, from II;
Relays of men are on the ROOF
with an ample supply OF water.
A ToLCr3TAN WHO wA- ON TIE GROUND.
A Tribune reporter talked with Policeman Peter
MOTIFS,
when the explosion occurred. He said: l
had inst been talking with Bob
Jones the ferry-master and was walking
over toward Taylors Hotel, when heard terrific
explosion. and felt the ground trcmble under
my feet. The next moment | the fire
and the flames spread so rapidly that
by The time had collected my thought, the entire
building was iu flames. saw woman VINO bad
just gone through the passage way and her
.sI.r
since been informed that they took
her on the boat and conveyed her over 20 NeW-
look for Jones aud Captain Bacchus, but l
could not see them and / believe they
have been blown TO atoms. Nobody else has seen
them. 80 far a. can learn. ana mere
seems 10 be no room for doubt that
they have lost their lives. The explosion was
tremendous and / don't 's'irve their bodice
VIII ever be found. because. II they were
not blown TO- pieces. the intense heat
OF that tire would leave no trace OF them. ALey
were both Philadelphia men. believe"
THE PROBABLE Losses.
II was impossible to ascertain the ex-
tent of the losses. but officers of the
various companies places them above 5000
600. said an officer of the raj
r r[aat c'nsSIiooGG goo our that 'o'' of the
Adams Express %. SlOU.0OO while the led star o.
viii lose about H-J,ODO
PHYSICIANS MARROW ESCAPE.
Il have great cause for thaukfulness," said
I NrN-lolh QLt -iiIslit ~ vas "'t444-
a rod Of the ticket office when the eX-
plosion occurred. The lving glass cut
INV lace Ten seconds more and would have been
handing Ip my tckrt.
At2a.m II was reported that Jones aud Baccnu
had not been seriously hurt.
TWO fXJrErD PERSONS BROUGHT r. NEw-YoRK.
Two persons injured by the explosion
and ire were brought TO this city
bv the ferry-boat Baltimore and landed at
DeSbruSsc~--t. An ambulance was summoned
and thav were carried TO Bellevue Hospital.
They were Abraham Goodman. age twenty
one of No. SO >ullvau--t. and jennie Pol
lock age nineteen OF No. 900 IhTd-ave.,
New-Yorh Both were burned about the head, face
and hands.
HOW TIE FIRE LOOKED FROM NFw-YoRK
Alta little before midnight the lurd smoke from
the burning structure, BEGAN 70 lit itself mp from
behind the Post Office 50 a. 10 be clearly visible
from the window, of The TRIBUNE Building.
little later tine view from the root was beautiful
1ne The flames appeared % be just back OF the
Post Office and the three peaked roof. Of the ferry
house glOWed like crown of fire, sent up shower,
of dazzling sparks, amt poured curing t"l,l.H-'
fantastic plume of scarlet smoke high NJ against
tie dark Sky. The wind tossed and whlred the
fiery plume into varying shapes ana tur front OF
the blazing buildings shuue IN hc1uttul IItt-N'ih
of living flames. The shottover IN Beckman-si
caupht the reflect ION of thc flames that seemed
Ike an obesb of colored granite. one side oi the
tower of the Produce EXchdng" gloved with
brilliant red. aud by the illumination the hands on
the dial of the big clock could distinctly Dee 5ceu
from HE IRIBJSLs editorial rooms.
MANY LIVES n PERIL FROM FLAMES.
MARROW ESCAPE OF PEOPLE FROM BURNING
TENEMENT HOUSE.