New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-12
PANIC AT A FACTORY FIRE.
NARROW ESCAPE OF MEN AND WOMEN IN
BROOKLYN
AN ALARM GIVEN JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT-rHE
FLAMES SPREAD WITH TERRIBLE RAPID.
ITY-HEAvY LOSS IN A CARPET MANU-.
FAoToRY-ARE THERE Bopupx
In THE RUINsi

IN THE RUINsi
fire broke out suddenly at IL 20 o'clock this
morning on the top floor of the carpet factory of
Buchanan d Lyall at President and Hoyt sts.
Brooklyn. The building was an immense structure,
four stories in height and 100 feet square, extend
ing from No. 372 to No. 404 President-st. The
flames dashed through the building, and soon the
whole structure in a furious blaze, which
lighted up the sky so that the fire could easily be.
seen for miles around
There were at the time 800 men and women at
work in the building, and q terrible panic fol-
lowed. Fortunately the means Of escape were not
cut of, as the danger for the first moment or two
was confined to the top Of the building, but
those who were at work in the upper rooms
had narrow escapes. During the rush which
took place for the doors and stairways women
were thrown down and wild scene Of confusion
took place. Three women were in positions from
which they were unable to escape before having
the hair burned from their heads. They managed
10 struggle from ths burning tinder-box, how
ever, and fell fainting into the arms of those
who had got out before them.
Alarms were sent in rapid succession and the
firemen responded quickly, but the flames gained
In ferceness rapidly, spreading through every
part Of the factory, until shortly before o'clock
the walls began TO totter, falling in second
later with great crash.
The sparks sent up by the fall were sent flying to
the roofs of the neighboring houses, and general
panic followed, for several fires broke out, and for
some time it looked as il the large dat house only
few doors distant from the burning factory
could not be saved.
The tobacco factory around the corner, also
owned by the same firm, then caught fire, and the
fremen began another fierce struggle with the
flames At 2:2O o'clock the tobacco factory was
still burning, but the flames were not making head
way.
During the excitement in the rush from the
building, and after the struggling men and women
had reached the street, blinded and confused,
cries arose on all sides for friends and fellow
workmen. II WIS impossible to tell whether any
one had perished in the flames. The reserve
police force of three precincts had been called
out They promptly responded and kept the
crowd from getting too near the walls before
they fell
MIR. Lyall said at late hour this morning
that the fire had already destroyed between
400, 900 and 100000 worth OF property. How
much greater the damage would be could not
be told until the flames were subdued, and the
loss to the tobacco factory and surrounding
buildings could be estimated Immense heaps OF
lumber about the factory fed the flames and
added to the grandeur of the scene. as the mass
of fame shot high in the air or swept, over the
streets when caught by gust Of wind.
The building was lighted by gas, but worl1men
have been engaged in fitting up electric lights for
some days The cause Of the fire is not known,
but j. is not thought that the electric wires had
anything 10 do with IT,
The factory has been heavy loser by fire be
fore. In 1s75 the building was badly damaged,
nnd was subsequently repaired and reftted at great
OK pense.t About ten years ago system OF
wholesale robbery was carried out there.
The thieves got away with good deal OF pfunder.
but were captured and several Of them are now
serving long terms Of Imprisonment Three hun
drel hands have been kept Mt work In the FAC
tory day and night for several months.
About 2 40 o'clock the Are was under control
and tho danger OF it's spreading was passed