Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-04-14
Eleven Squares in Ashes.

Property valued at S4,O0O,0O0 was
destroyed and a hundred or more per-
sons robbed OF their homes by fire at
New Orleans, Sunday. Flames were
discovered among some cotton In front
of the so-called fireproof press on North
Front street. The department respond
ed promptly, but the wind was so high
and the cotton so dry that 1t burned
like tissue paper. The flremen worked
like demons to arrest tho progress of the
flames, but all their efforts were un-
availing. Chief 0'Connor sounded a
repeated alarm, which brought more en-
gines to the scene, but they had no effect
whatever. The woodwork cracked and
fell TO the ground and the bright flames
kaped upward from every part of the
compress.
After three repeated alarms 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 10000 bales of
cotton stored in 1t. This was entirely
consumed.
In half an hour after the flames had
started the fire-proof press was totally
consumed and the flames communicated
TO an adjoining press. In this press
was stored 81, 900 bales of cotton, some
of which was taken out to a place Of
safety. The major portion, however,
was in flames in short time, and it
was impossible to save 1t.
Suddenly a small flame was seen TO
leap skyward from corner of the Inde-
pendence press. In second almost the
entire square was ablaze, and the flames
formed almost solid block of fire. In
the yard were stored some ten thousand
bales. This proved excellent fuel for
the flames, and in little time it was
consumed.
The total amount of cotton burned, as
near as can now be ascertained, is esti-
mated at 10000 bales, held by factors
and commission merchants, and covered
by their open policies. Much of this
cotton will be sent to the pickeries and
saved, SO that the total loss will prob
ably not exceed $40 bale, making the
| total on cotton between $4,000, 900 and
1885, 900. Loss on presses and sheds
estimated at S150,000 1t is thought the
fire started from cigarette which some
| person threw among the cotton.
While the fremen we're fighting the
cotton fire an alarm was given of another
! at Laurel and Third streets, about twelve
| blocks away. The fire began with the
SdCIluCe VI bWO yOuuS lives. hbtlo
daughter of Mrs. Valentine was filling a
| coal-oil lamp when it exploded. The
flaming oil was thrown over an infant
sister and both children were burned to
death. The flames spread out on their
mission of destruction making a huge
funeral pyre for the unfortunate little
ones. Chief O'Connor sent several en-
gines TO the scene, but before they could
! get down to active work a dozen houses
were in flames. Alarms were sent IN
and every engine on both sides of the
| river was summoned to the scene. The
/ heat was intense, and for this reason il
was almost impossible to get near the
burning buildings, the wind in many in
stances blowing tongues of flames across
the street.
The flames spread in every direction
owing to varying winds. The fire swept
across Laurel street with a rapidity that
was at once alarming and soon the Sec
ton bounded by First, Third, Laurel
and Magazine streets, four squares. was
ablaze, and the wooden buildings were
devoured as If they were so much chaff
| Magazine street staid the march of the
destructive element westward and acted
! as barrier on the south. Every build
ing in the four squares mentioned except
four was destroyed. Most of the
houses were small, but some very hand.
some houses on Magazine street were
destroyed. Hundreds OF people have
been left homeless by the fire and In
many cases nothing will be saved. The
scene presented was truly one Of desc
lation. Nothing remains of the many
handsome buildings embraced in the
four squares but tall, gaunt-lookine
chimneys, like huge spectral forms
standing guard over the blackened ruins
The losses by this fire are estimated al
$3.50, 600. 1t is believed that the build.
ings are mostly insured.