Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-28
FIRES.
THE METROPOLITAN oPERA-Houss
IN NEW YORK RUINED.
Three Fearths of the Building oone-A
Great Fire in Augusta, Gs.-Minor
Confiagrations.
lnr ,.lnrrnph % tho pI.patch.l

Scenic-Artist Operti. who had studio
in the building temporarily, arrived at the
theatre Just as tho FIRE was discovered.
and bad the modification of seeing works
OF art. upon which he had spent oonside-
rable time and travelled over the world to
get sketches of, burned up. The scenery
for the new PLAYS to be introduced IN
I,few DAYS at tho Casino and Days Theatre
and the Academy OF Music are SAID
10 be a complete loss, aad may cause
delay in the production OF the
plays. During the summer the Opera
House has been chiefly used for commence
meDts, and was last used for ball. Inc
pine flooring for this had not been re-
moved. and this once ignited carried the
fire 30 the main entrance. Inc interior OF
the theatre had been thoroughly httedfor
the opening season. which would nave
taken place in short time.
Before 10 o'clock the roof had been
burned through and tho flames shot high
up into the air. This vent assisted the
fremen materially in their work OF saving
tho Broadway front. which work they ac-
complished. Half an hour later the names
having eaten up everything before them
had literally burned themselves out.
THE DESTRUCTION wBoUGHT.
When they had been sufficiently sub
dued to permit entrance TO the building
il was seen that the stage and everything
from the proscenIum arch to the rear wall
on Seventh avenue had been entirely
swept away. excepting the bare brick
walls. The roof above the stage was en-
tirely burned away aud the sky could DC
seen. In the auditorium the five tiers that
rose above the orchestra still renamed.
but All tho trappings of the boxes. the
upholstering of the chairs, the frescoes
OF the walls and dome had vanished.
In the boxes and on the tiers
above. the iron frames of the chairs alone
remained. The flames burned hercely
here, but they did not make their way
through the roof and that still remained.
Further than the entrance doors OF the
auditorium the flames had not succeeded
in making their way. No trace OF tue nre
was stem in that part of the building
fronting on Broadway, and the people IN
this part of the building calmly went
about their duties during the hro
THE LOSSES,
The official police report of the damage
savs. Scenery. etc, $3.50 900; Opera-House
building. $4,000; Broadway and Thirty
ninth street, occupied on first floor by New
Amsterdam Bank, no damage; BroadWay
and Fortieth street, occupied as restau-
rant no damage: Broadway side of build
Ing, occupied as an apartment-house, no
damage.
lie stockholders Of the Opera House in
clude Mr.. Vanderbilt and other million
aires.
ORIGIN OF FIRE UNKNOWN.
Just where the fire started is yet I'M
known but 1t must have been III the
vicinity of the stage, which backs on
Seventh avenue. How the flames managed
to get such Roadway without being DIS
covered is also a problem that puzzles
a IL .Ef -. nd hfG
The special building signal was rung
about half-past 8 o'clock. Then the entire
interior was O fiery mass and 1t was appa-
rent that the block would be consumed.
Help was called without delay. Over
dozen steamers responded TO TINS sum-
mons, and as IL was clear that there was no
saving the theatre their united EFFORTS
we're exerted 10 save the Broadway front,
IN which are located the Bank of New Am-
sterdam and Zancher Il Gazzo's restaurant.
The former covers the Ihirty-nlnth-stree
corner and the latter the fortleth-street
corner. The main entrance to the opera
House was on this front between the bank
and the restaurant.
All the offices IN the six stories or the
Broadway front were untouched by the
FIRE. but those of the Opera House Com
ponv. which were on the Thirty ninth
street side near Seventh avenue, were
oulckly quilted. There was an expensive
library IN this section which was also
more or less ruined.
ONE 10Y EURr.
One boy IL known TO have been injured:
His name IL Mans, and he was employed
by Aired Opertl the artist. The boy was
hemmed in by flames on the third floor.
but Ia made bis way TO one OF the win
dows on Jhirty- ninth street and from
there leaned down TO the stoTIn-dOOr shed
40 ,,y,trnI tfcrv II not bpiipVQl
that he Is seriously hurt
BY 10 O'Clock the fire was under control.
THE BURNED BUILDING.
The exterior OF the burned theatre ia of
messed buff brick with dressings of terra
Gotta. the design being a simple treat.
ment of the Italian renaissance. There
are seventeen entrances nom the street
and on Broadway there were large yesti-
bules with hat and cOat-rooms adjoining.
The foyer was thirty-four by eighty
two feet, with parlor. connected
IN such a manner that the two could be
easily converted INTO concert or lecture
room. with the parlor for a stage. The
auditorium, sad to be the largest IN the
world. contained three rows and half of
boxes. I22 in all, with each Of which was
| connected salon twice the size of the box
| itself. IN which refreshments were served,
wraps left and visits received between the
acts
and 100 feet high. 1t also extended 30 feet
| below the door. The building was said 10
| be as thoroughly fre-proof as possible,
| brick and iron entering largely into
| IT'S composition. The Opera-HOuse was
opened for performances in Octo-
| Der. 1888, under the management OF
| Henry Abbey. Since the first season
it has been devoted chiefly to German
opera. A number Of the Wagner operas
were produced at the Opera House with
great splendor and effectiveness. IL was
| Also the scene Of great balls each season,
the asst one Of national importance being
| the Centennial ball The yearly box
| holders included many milllonalres.
TO BE RKFITTED At ONCE.
Secretary McIaren SAYS q meeting of the
stockholders will be Immediately called
and the work of refitting the Opera-house
will begin as soon as the water can DO
| gotten ont OF il. II will be necessary to
| practically reft the entire interior, as
! everything that still remains there IS so
| damaged that il must be removed, ana
nothing but the bare walls will remain.
| Even these must be repaired in places.
Abbey. Schofel, and GrAu have leased
| the building for the coming season, their
| lease beginning IN October. They had
| planned 70 begin their season November
| 2lst next. The Opera-House had been en-
gagged for the great temperance jubilee IN
| September and for the Columbus and tho
| Catholic CLUB banquets III October. but Of
course the fire has cancelled these dates.
ANOTHER NEW YORK FIRE.
NEw YORK, August 27.-Flre to-day de-
| strnyed most of the large hye-story BRICK
| building Nos. 100 70 126 Wooster street,
extending through to Pine street.
over 100 people we're in the building,
and it is NOT certain that all escaped.
| The building was occupied by manutac-
! turing establishments. Mary Il. Hanlan
received fatal injuries. firemen Stac
| and Langwasser were seriously injured.
| William Sperry received serious INJURIES,
| loss is about $3.50 0o0.