New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-14
DRIVEN By FIRE INTO TIE STORM
TWENTY FAMILIES MADE HOMELESS.
BIG WEST SIDE TENEMeNr-HoUsE BURNED

| BIG wEsT SIDE TENEMENT-HoUsE BURNED
ONE DEATH PReM EXPOSURE.
Twenty families living in the fvc-story, double
tenement house, Nos o57 and $50 West Forty second
st., were driven out into the pitiless storm by fire
that wrecked tho house at 3 m yesterday. Most
OF the unfortunate men, women and children were
IN their night clothes when they fed, panic stricken
rom their rooms, and their suferings aroused the
sympathy Of everybody in the neIghborhood. The
names started mystcriousy In tho basement under
MRS. Bridget Germans grocery the first floor.
They quickly spread to the grocery and to the
hqnor-store Of Thomas Hughes, In tho other half OF
this first story.
Mrs. German and Hughes lived In the house and
they were among the first of the inmates to be awsk
ened by the smoke. There was no time lose after
ino alarm was given Parents caught up their chdren
wrapped them IN bed-clothcs and fed to the street.
Loud cries Of distress mingled with the bowling of
The storm, the frightened tenants emerged from
the burning house.
| HELPING THE SUFFERERS OUT OF TIE SNOW.
The neghbors flung open their doors and welcomed
the sufferers with much speed as possible. Bare-
rooted women waded through the drifts, carry
ing their children in their arms crying for shelter
aiike from the flames and from tho cold. Several
wore chilled almost to heplessness before they could
reach fire and warm clothing. Bernard Daily, pro-
rlieor Of tho quorstulo at Eleventh ave- and Forty
sccondst threw open tho store to the sufferers and
supplied some OF them with stmulants while they
were waiting for clothing. In several cases the
brief but terrible exposure probably laid foundation
for serious Illness. Mrs. Mary Simmons, who was
SICK in tho burning house. carried out safely but
sho suffered from shock to such an extent that she
died I'm the afternoon
Three alarms were sounded and fifteen companies
or rcmcn started for the fire, but all OF the twelve
engines except stuck fast In tho snowdffs on
The way there Only Engine No. 2, from Forty-thlrd
ST.. got near enough 10 the burning house TO be OF
service. The four hook and ladder trucks due on
the alarms also stuck In tho snow, but tho hardy
members OF tho truck companies waded several blocks
through tho drifts, carrying the ladders their
shoulders In order to be of service at the fire.
All the water that could be obt taIned was pumped
through two lines of hose By Engine No. q If two
or thrce moro engines could have reached the fire.
the building might have been saved from destruction
but the 1remen were Obliged to let It burn and to
confne their efforts to the adjoining houses the
occupants Of which were ordered out by the police
CRIvF GrCQrEI's HFpOISM.
BattalionChlef Gicquel entered the house at the
risk Of his life to search for child. who believed
to have been left In one of tho upper rooms Happily
the child was already safc. and the gallant fireman
got out unhurt For time the fire made threaten
Ing show Tho flames rose high above the roof and
seemed ready to attack the big house adj
J1'nlhR on th, cast whlle The gale carried shower
on SPARKS and cindcrs far Sxth-av and Thir-
teth-st.
II was not until the burning house had been gutted
that the fremen conld stop pouring water on the
other houses, and tho danger not over for an
hour Longer. Only the walls Of The house remained
when tho fire was out. and the front and walls
VIII have 10 be pulled down The building was
owned by Thomas Donohue, and vaiued at
$4,000. u SAID to have boen condemned by
the Buildings Bureau al one fine on account OF family
construction Thomas Hughes and Mrs. German lost
about 81 coo each by tho flames, and losses Of tho
other occupants together amounted to about s3 600
F1w OF those who lost all thotr clothing had any
insurance It was said. collection for their benefit
was started yesterday.