New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-04
A GREAT COTTON FIRE.
EIGHTY THOUSAND BALES BURNED AT NEW
ORLEANS
FOUR PRESSES WITH THEIR CONTENTS. VALUED
AT MORE THAN TWO MILLION DOLLARS,
WIPED OUT by THE FLAMES-MANY
DWELLINGS ALSO BURNED AND
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
HOMELESS.


HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
HOMELESS.
New Orleans, April 3.--Onc of the most dcS'ruc-
tive cotton fires record broke ont at 80 this
morning among some cotton on the sidewalk in
front Of the Fire Proof Press. on North Front-st.
between Race and Orange. The persons who saw
smoke issuing from among the bales gav the alarm
Immediately, and few minutes later the bells
rang out " 81" The fircmcn responded promptly,
but the wind was so high and the cotton so dry
that it burned like tissue paper. The flames ran
high, and in an almost incredibly short space of
time had communicated to the press itself and
working their way along the woodwork of
the roof The fircmen worked hard TO check the
progress of the flames but their efforts were una
vailing Chief O'Connor, seeing the serious pro
portions of the fire. Immediately sounded repeated
alarm, which had the effect of bring
ing more engines to thc scene Additional
pipes were run out and extra streams Of water
pumped on the nnmes, but they had no effect
whatever. The woodwork cracked and fell TO
the ground as it succumbcd to the fire. and the
bright flames leapcd upward from every part of
the scene Through the yards swept the fire.
carrying devastation with it. it went. burning
cotton and wood if they much paper
After three repeated alarms, a general alarm
was sent in, and all the engines in the city
with the exception of two or three were called
out. The Fire Proof Press had about
| u. 600 bales of cotton stored in il. This was
entirely consumed. 1t would have been madness
for iiremcn TO enter the press TO save the staple.
The streets were lined with spectators drawn to
the scene from every portion of the city. IIoarse
cries Of the frcmen as they rushed 10 and fro
giving orders, the frightened cries of the women
bt-st nd he lrill
engines formed n picture never to be forgotten.
The police. under Sergeant Aucoin, the
scene doing whatever was required Of them, but
their presence was Of little avail as the crowd
was compelled to remain at great distance from
the flames owing 10 the intense heat.
In half an hour after the flames had started the
Fire Proof was totally consumed and the flames
had communicated to the Shippers Press. The
destruction here great as at the other
press I'm marvclousy short space of time the
flames had attacked the building from all sides,
cutting their way through the woodwork with
wonderful rapdty. In this press were stored
30 600 bales Of cotton some of which was taken
out and brought 10 place of safety. The major
portion Of the staple, however, was in humeS
in a short tine and il was impossible 10
save H. The fire ate its way along the Taiters
Of the press and down through the wood
hcrcath tie sheds, II was only the cotton stored
in The yard that was saved IL require a very
short time, with the high wind that WAS blowing,
10 destroy this press The walls soon looked Ike
charrcd pillars lettering 20 AMI fro, endan2ering
the ifc of firemcn. Several Of them bad narrow
escapes anG now and then thrill Of horror would
run through the crowd rs they believed some one
in danger or saw a wall tottcr and fail For
space Of at least two blocks sheet cf fame shot
upward. The smoke and sparks from the
iirr were blown down into the STREETS by the
winds and chokcd and singcd the spectators
Suddenly a small flame was seen TO leap sky
ward from a corner Of the Independence Press.
In second almost the entire square was ablaze,
and the flames formed almost a solid block of
fire In the yard were stored some 10000 bales
Of the fowcry staple. This proved excellent fuel
for tie flames, and in little time it WAS con-
,umcd. At length four rows Of charred walls were
al that stood 10 remind that large building
had once occupied the site
The last to catch was the Orleans. The place
was Quilted, and It's contents, consisting OF about
20, 900 bales were consumed. There no
chance 10 save any portion of the cotton. as the
work Of destruction rapid For some time
the men worked on these flames, and when it
bccamc apparent that none Of the bales of cot
ton could bc saved they devoted their attention
TO the surrounding structures.
Water was poured into windows and through
doorways and everything WAS thoroughly wet.
This probably saved number of buildings,
sparks were hlling in all directions The
walls Of the different burned presses fell within
a short time Of each other. In each ease there
was a sudden trembling which caused those near
the walls TO flee prccipltately heavy surging
and then deafening crash that could be- heard
squares away and the streets would he strcwn
with bricks and other material. ,c district
burned over is bounded by Peters. Front Thalia
and Robin sts and the presses destroyed are as
follows:
Fire Proof Pcnrose Brothers. managers; South
Front St. southwest corner of RObln-st
Shippers, Boyd ~ iIcrrlcl, proPret3rs south
Pctcrs-st., between Henderson ana k1Din s's.
Independence Cotton Yard, South fctcrs-St.
Orleans Cotton Press, Adam Lorch, manager
South Petcrs-st., between 1halm and lerplschorc
The total amount Of cotton burned. as near as
can now bc asccrtancd, is estimated ut 10000
BALE. held by factors and commission merchants
and covered by their open policies. Much OF TINS
cotton will be sent to the picicries and saved,
40 that the total loss will probably not exceed
$50 Il bale, making the total loss on cotton
between 81, ,O0O, 900 and 81 100000. The loss on
prcsscs and sheds is estimated at Sl1O,OOO
II is thought the fire started from cigarette
which some pcrson threw among the cotton.
For blocks around the burning presses the resi-
dents moved ont their furniture for fear that the
fire would spread to their homes Men, women
and children were seen running to ana fro WIN
pieces Of furniture other property winch they
wished 10 save In their Hight they would oiteh
throw down their parcels in the street, where the
number of " fire thieves who are generally IN
attendance on these occasions got in their work
pn
Proof Press. the walls came tumblinS down
To the horror of the already excited crowd three
men were seen falling under the mass Wiling
hands were soon working on the walls ana
shortly the unfortunate ircmcn were taken from
the ruins moaning and crying with pain. They
wre taken TO a saloon, where they were cared ior
untn the nmhnlance arriXcd. when they were