New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-10
A BIG BLAZE IN BROOKLYN.
HYDE g. BEHMAN's THEATRE DESTROYED.
THE FIRE SPREADS TO ADJOINING BUILDINGS
AND LIGHTS UP THE WHOLE LOWER PART
OF THE CITY-A BRAVE RESCUE OF
JANITOR AND HIS FAMILY.

What promised to be o large and destructive
fire broke out at l2 80 this morning in Hyde u
Behmans Theatre, No "a? Adams-st near Myrtle
ave. BROOKLYN In few seconds the whole
building was a mass OF flames, and before
the first fireman could reach the scene there re-
mained little hope of saving the building
Three alarms were sent out at once, and all
the available engines of the fire department were
collected in a few minutes II was seen almost at
once that the work of checking the fire
before it swept the entire block would be a work
of great difficulty.
Tie block includes the Arbucke Building,
big tcn-story Office structure, the Park Theatre
and many smaller buildings The office Of
" The Brooklyn Citizen" is at the
other end of the block. In few
moments the ire-brands fell thick on adjoining
buildings and small fires were started In several
places. The city lighted up for many blocks
in every direction, and the firemen had
great difficulty in getting near the fianes
At 1:l5 the Park Theatre was in danger Of
going. The walls of the burning building were
then ready TO fall in, and the flames were GAIN
ing in terceness.
4 gallant rescue of the janitor Of the theatre
and his wife and three children, who lived in the
back part Of the building. was made by four men
William Eccles. When they heard that the fam
lily of Samuel Classy, the janltor, were in the
doomed building they reached the roof Of liquor
store adjoining one of the walls crawled across
the space to a window, smashed it in, and leaped
into the gallery of the theatre. The fire was blazing
hercely here but they fought their way heroically
through the flames to the looms Of the family.
They found them in bed, almost suffocatcd,
and dragging them out OF the rooms, escaped
from the burning theatre and landed children and
all safely in the street below.
Gallant work on the part of the fremen Just
at the right moment saved the adjoining build
ings. however. and at 80 o'clock the fire was
practically under control. Numerous small fires
had started on all sides Of the doomed structure,
and many men were kept busy fighting these. As
soon as one was eXtnguished, another appeared
I'm some other quarter Alter half an hours hard
struggle the work OF the flremen became easier.
Tie building, which was entirely destroyed,
vac a iOur-story brick structure, about I'D Dy
100 feet in size, and seated SOU persons Ing
Arbuckle Building, the big structure which ad-
iolnpd The theatre Oh the Fulton-st. side, was
considerably damaged, the woodwork In many OF
the windows taking fire. some WOODEN Dullu-
iugs at the side Of the theatre were saved win
great difficulty. The theatre was lnsured LOT
SOS 900 and IL was thought that the total loss
would not exceed 100000. The fire originated
on the top floor of the building, nut In what
manner was not known.
The theatre WAS built in 1877 on the size OF an
old market The market was used at the time
of the Brooklyn Theatre fire a mOrguc for the
victims who pershed in that disaster. lhe the
atrp was devoted chiefly TO variety performances
and under the management of Hyde a. lehman
had been almost uniformly prosperous.