Evening journal., 1888-10-12


Che scene. There were several nan on board
the Hafis, ;ind they soon succeeded in reach
ing the pier in safety, from whence they
were rescued by a tughoat, while others
swan TO the pier at the foot OF South
Twelfth street.
A moment later a roar as il a volcano was
heard, and the roof Of the big store house
was on fire, As soon as this was discovered
a third alarm was sent out, and all the avail
able forces Of Brooklyn came hurrying to the
scene. Before their arrival the first explosion
was heard, and it was enough to tefrify even
the tiremen. From that moment the fire was
beyond control, and nothing was left save to
allow the ell and naphtha 70 burn itself out.
Explosion followed explosion in quick sue
cession, until it seemed as il tho place was
being bomharded.
Company Is, in charge Of Capt. J. McCor-
mick, was one of the first to arrive on the
scene. He is a most careful man, and has
been connected with the department since
1862 Foremen Helen and McElrov Of the
same company, and Michael O'Keefe. Of
truck 6, worked with necessary energy
While doing so there was a loud report. a
fierce sheet of flame shot outward and for a
moment the four brave men were swallowed
up in it.
Both the police and fremen rushed to their
rescue. Capt. Mccormick was found living
on the ground, with his hands and feet dread
fully burned. His hat had been blown Off
and his clothes were scorched in many places.
1t is believed that he win die O'Keefe was
in similar condition. McElroy was also
dangerously hurt. his hands having been
burned to the bone. Helen was the least in
iured, but even his wounds were severe.
In the meantime the flames had spread
with lightning ike rapidity along the river.
The store house was a vast sheet Of flame.
and burning oil was flowing in every di-
rection. Efforts We're made to draw the oil
off in pipes, but without success. Next to the
burning building is the works of the Williams
burg Gas company, and it was feared that
these too would be caught by the flames.
The river was for many yards lake Of seeth-
ing fire, the oil floating along the surface and
burning all the time.
Within one hour after the fire first started
the Williamsburg side Of the river presented
such picture as was never before seen there.
There was one solid sheet OF fire covering
several hundred yards that reared aloft
mountains high. Half dozen ships and
lighters, three piers and the Reading com
pany's coal chute on the Eighth street pier
were completely in the grasp Of the fire
demon. Thousands Of people had gathered to
witness the sight, and they stood appalled, at
the spectacle. Three entire blocks on the
river front were in flames
While the firemen and the crews Of the
fire tugs were fighting to save neighboring
buildings, the flames crept around southward
and fastened upon the pier at the foot of
North Ninth street and the coal elevator be-
tween that pier and South Tenth street.
This pier and the elevator were owned by the
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad com
pany. The elevator had just been fitted up
with new machinery. 1t was burned 70 the
ground. with its contents, and the pier was
burned to the waters edge The loss of the
Philadelphia and Reading company was esti-
mated by the superintendent ON the ground
at $4,000
The total loss is estimated as follows:
Storage building, $4,000; oil in Iarrels.
S50000 docks and bulkheads and pipes, S75.-
coo; steamship Hafis, with cargo, $4,000;
bark Ella Vose and cargo, SIC, 600; coal yards,
$4,000; other vessels and lighters, $50, 900.
Total, 1856, 900.