New-York tribune., 1885-02-21
SAFE WORKS DESTROYED.
FAMILIES DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES.

..xr,rr,,vSr AT Tur BURNING OF MARvIN's
BuILDISG-Loss, $3.50, ,000-THE INSURANCE
>The ringing of engine bells and the shouts OF
6remen aroused more than one hundred families In West
Thrtyseyenth-st. at 2:30 IN. yesterday, ana gave
warning OF danger which was soon to drive many oi
them from their homes. Flames were bursting from 'o
front WI odows of the Marvin Safe Companys eghEory
factory between Eighth and Ninth aves Three alarms
and several special calls for engines "cre SeN'
out after the first company reached inc Iac'ory'
There were four buildings about eentrai court Ano
flames started iu the front building but they had ex
tended to the side and rear buildings before Single
stream of water could be thrown on them
Close TO the west building stood the four-story tehe-
No 334, of row OF such houses reach
ing to Ninthave. East OF the factory was Iraho
shanty occupied shoemakers shop, nnd beyond inc
shanty were several flats. beginning with NO. SO
row of tenemenhouses stood on the north SIDE oi inc
street. front of the factory 1t soon became
that the factory would be destroyed and the ponce
began TO drive the people out OF the aVoih'
ing buildings and the one opposite tearing INA.
The high walls would fall outward. Men. women anu
children ran about the street in great bewiderment
like flock of ghtened sheep. Many had not time TO
aress themselves and they carried their clothing IN
their arms. There much suffering from the cold
Families became separated and on all sides were heard
the cries of mothers and fathers who we're looking Tor
their children Outside the hrenes many OF the sur
ierers were given temporary shelter in the houses OF
neighbors Mrs. Glow, who was Ill with pneumonia as
No. 800 was removed In ambulance.
So rapid was the progress of the fire. that the IRENE
were soon obliged from i'll front OF the factory
and confne their efforts to the protection
of the adjoining houses. The tenement mouse on
the west caught fire several times, but IL
was saved although every room was drenched There
were about safes n the factory and at they
began to tall the various floors, and Tor twenty
minutes there constant crashing or safes thrOugn
fhe buildings At 315 portion OF the east wall OF the
factory fell the roof of the 0at house No. 3Zo ana
crushed it n The anitors r0ops on the top iOOr OF he
fathouse were half filed with bricks large portion
of the front wall the factory fell at 800 ana soon
afterward the buildings comprising the factory were
3n ruins At daybreak the families living IN the houses
in front of the ruins permitted to return 10 ter
rooms Portions of the front wall OF the FACTORY ehahe
in threatening cOnd on until they were pulleu uoWn
nv the relnen the house No. S34 the rooms were
so tblckly with ice that the occupants were not
able 10 say in them. the house is owned by James D.
Welsh Ii damaged to the extent or loOO ana the
loss on furniture about $4,000 The damage IN the
fat house No. $40 about $1,000 1t is owned by Mr.
Al the Broadway Office of the Marvin Safe Company II
was said that the losses by the fire were as foows
Buildings, $4,000 machinery, 500, 600; stOch Slou-
900 total $230000 The president treasurer secretary
and Superintendent of the company were sumHOneu as
soon as the fire and at 43O while the IRE was sun III
progress perfected their plans for continuing teii pro-
ductiOn at "a location. as soon as their machinery
can be adapted. The burned factory was erected III
1S7O at a cost OF about 100000.
The buildings were insured as follows;