Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-04
DISASTROUS FIRES
New Orleans Swept by Two
 COnfl8grations.
PEOPLE FLED FOR THEIR LIVES
The Losses Will Aggregate Over Three --44s -z. Million Dollara u,


 Tho First Fire Was in the Cotton PreaG
 District-It is Supposed SO,OOO Bales oi
 Cotton Were Destroyed-It is Thought
 Some One Threw Q Lighted Match on the
 Cotton-The Second Connagration Was
 Caused by the careIessness of . Woman
 in Using Coal on Which Exploded.
 NEW ORLEANS, April 4.-This city was visited by two serious conflagrations yes- terday, and property aggregating over 1000, 900 destroyed.
 The first and most disastrous of the fires started in the district bounded by Peters, Front, Thalia and Robins streets.
 A high wind was blowing at the time, and the flames spread with appalling rapidity. Building after building was quickly licked up, until all in the dis trict mentioned were either in ruins or very badly damaged.
 Among the presses destroyed were the Fire Proof, Penroxe Brothers, managers; Shippers, Boyd & Herrick, proprietors; Independence Yard and the Orleans Cotton Press.
 It is thought that s0,OO0 bales of cotton were in the buildings destroyed, but it is believed that much of this will be saved. It is estimated, however, that the loss on cotton will be close on to g, 300, 900. The loss on the sheds and presses is placed at $200, 900.
 The fire is believed to have been of accidental origin, due probably to the careless handling of 8 lighted match.
 A panic prevailed in the vicinity of the fire which was close to the residence dis trict, and people living many blocks dis tant began fleeing for their lives carry ing what few belongings they could gather up in their haste. There were eral minor buildings. The New Orleans Vinegar factory was completely de- stroyed, involving a loss on the stock of $1O,O0O. A frame barroom, No. 329 Front street, was rased. At 321 South Front street, 8 two-story brick building was entirely destroyed. No. 333 Front street, two story brick residence, was damaged considerably, as was 355 and 337 Front street, buildings of the same character. A three story brick building, No. Thalia street, was damaged con siderably.
 The cotton loss is estimated at about $65, 900. This would mean a loss of about $2, 225, 900 in cotton alone.
 It is claimed by some that the fire was the work of laborers who wished to avenge the purchasing of the press by the trust The fire proof press is owned the trust in the name of Penrose Bros, managers. The Orleans is also in the trust in the name of Adam Lorch, man ager. The shippers press is owned by Boyd & Herrick, who are not in the trust.
 While the firemen were engaged in a hopeless struggle with the cotton fire, another blaze broke out at the corner of Laurel and Third streets, a mile away.
 Mrs. Valentine tried to start fire with coal oil. An explosion followed and the house was soon in flames. It was reported at the time that two chill dren were killed by the explosion, but investigation fails to confirm the state ment.
 For half an hour the fire was a small affair, but no engines arriving, it finally spread to the surrounding buildings, which were all wooden cottages, and in two hours the flames had swept bare an area of six blocks in extent, reaching from Magazine street to Constance Cross ing. In all 185 houses were destroyed.
 The loss will approximate $500, 900. A careful estimate of the total insurance on both fires fixes the amount at $3 300, 900,