New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-01
LOSSES MOUNTING HIGHER.
THE BIG FIRE NAY COST TWO MILLIONS.

CROWDS OF SPECTATORS IN BROADWAt-TALAo
WITH SOME or THE BuRNED-oUr yIRMs.
Thousands Of people stood IN the mud and slush
Of Broadway all day yesterday simply to watch
the heavy clouds Of steam and smoke that rose
from the ruins of the big fire. The police were
nearly exhausted both In temper and body by
their efforts to keep things moving. The sight
seers were obstinate, however, and seldom I" moved
on without the spur of o vigorous push or
threatening word. Two engines stood Of tho
hydrants above and below the ruins and pulled
great columns of heavy black smoke into tho
air. besides forcing thousands Of gallons Of water
over the heated bricks. Two smaller engines were
In Mercer-st but late In the afternoon all except
two Of the steamers were taken away.
As soon as the bricks were cool enough, gangs
of men were set to work to find tho safes. The
heat was SO great at first that the men had to
leave the ruins every few minutes to cool of and
to breathe fresh air. Later in the day it was
cool enough in the cellar to allow the men to
work continuously. None Of the safes was gotten
out, however, and the firms who were entirely
burned out are much at sea about losses as
they were yesterday. The general opinion Is that
the losses will be greater than the first estimates
made them out. Two million dollars is the lowest
guess now, while many think that the loss Will
be nearer three millions.
GETTING Really To BEGIN BUSINESS AGAIN
quarters in various parts Of Broadway within
few blocks of the ruins. Louis Metzger has his
headquarters temporarily at No. 800 Broadway
He is looking for building and will begin business
again He said yesterday that he would lose at
least one-half the value Of his goods. lie had q
stock worth nearly 100000. insured for half its
value. Some Of the covers were removed from
the Chinese and japanese goods of X. 1saacs *
Brother in No. 55.' Broadway, and the stock was
found in a pretty fair condition The firm will
lose, heavily, however, because they had from
$4,000 to $4,000 in goods stored in the base
consumed. 1t is feared that the dampness will
injure other portions OF the stock. The other
firms In this building had not estimated their
losses The firms in No. 545, where the flames
were checked, were working on their books all
day, but none had succeeded in estimating its
losses. The covers were not removed. so that 1t
was impossible to have an inventory taken.
+. Banchi, who occupied the entire building
No. 547 Broadway before the fire, and employed
about $50 persons there In the manufacture of art
fetal flowers was busy yesterday in room at the
Metropolitan Hotel. He said he had sent cable
grams to Paris ordering new materials and stamps
in order to resume business rs soon as possible.
PATTERN COLLECTORS BAD LUCK.
Malcomson & Co. had moved into temporary
quarters on the second floor of No. 1O2 Prince-st.
John McNevin, the junior member of the firm,
said: We lost about 81 co. 900 by the fire, and
had about $685. insurance Only last week the
insurance companies took away 81 200 Of our
insurance on account of the condition of the base
ment and subctar coupled by Rogers. had
fine collection of old fashion plates, some of them
dating back to Co., and they were al! destroyed
Only a few days ago refused $500 for single
one of those plates / had kept duplicates Of all
of the most valuable drawings and patterns used
in our business and had then stored h in box
ing when went TO look them up, found that a.
water pipe had burst and had flooded the bax.
Most of the patterns had been ruined by the
water"
Assistant Foreman Reilly, Of Hook and Ladder
Company No. s, who had his thigh and leg brogen
at The fire, was doing well at st. Vincent's Hos
pital yesterday. The surgeons said he would re-
cover and it would not be necessary to amputate
his leg Fireman Berman. who overcome
by the smoke at the fire, had recovered and had
returned to his duties.