The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-04
LIKE 50 MUCH TINDER,
Most Destructive Cotton Fire
at New Orleans.
SEVERAL MILLIONS BURNED UP.
Four Squares of Buildings and 10000
Bales of Cotton Consumed,
Another Fire in the Residence Portion
Many Families Made HomeIess-Sev-
eral Firemen Were Injured-Plants
Were All Heavily Insured.

NEW ORLEANS, La, Apru 5.-One OF the
most destructive cotton fires on record
broke out at 1920 this morning among
some cotton on the sidewalk in front of
the Fireproof cotton press on Front street,
where 10000 bales of cotton were stored.
The department promptly responded,
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 in
credibly short space of time were COM
municated to the press itself. The fire.
men worked like demons to arrest the
progress of the hames but their efforts
proved unavailing. Through the yards
swept the fire, carrying devastation with
it. After three repeated alarms, general
alarm was sent in, and all the engines in
the city, with two or three exceptions,
were called out.
In half an hour after the flames started
the Fireproof press was totally consumed
with its contents, and the flames commu-
nlcated to the upper press, attacking the
building from all sides with wonderful ra-
pidity.
In this press were stored $4,000 bales of
cotton, some of which were saved, the
greater portion being destroyed, however
1t required but very short time to de-
stroy the press Several fremen had mar
row escapes from falling walls.
The sight was an awe-inspiring one. For
the space of at least two blocks sheet of
flame shot upward. Smoke and sparks
from the fire blowing down into the street
by the wind choked and singed the spec
tators.
Suddenly a small flame was seen to leap
skyward from the corner of the Independ-
ence press. In second almost the entire
square was ablaze and the flames formed
almost solid block of fire. In the yard
were some 10000 bales of cotton, which
were consumed in little while. The place
was gutted, and the contents. consisting
OF about 10000 bales, were destroyed.
As soon as it was apparent that there
was no possibility of saving the burning
structure the firemen devoted their atten-
ton to the surrounding buildings
that were now in the embrace of the
flames, and everything in the neighbor-
hood was thoroughly soaked. This prob
ably saved number of conhagrations, as
the sparks fell in all directions.
The district burned was bounded by
Peners, Front, Thelis and Robbin streets,
and the presses destroyed were as follows:
Fireproof, Penrose Brothers; Shippers,
Boyd & Herrick, proprietors; Independ-
ence Cotton yard. Orleans Cotton press,
Adams Norwich, manager.
The total amount of cotton burned, as
near as can now be ascertained, is estim-
ated at $4,000 bales, held by factors and
commission merchants, and covered by
open policies. Much of the cotton will be
sent to Pitchers and saved, so that the
total loss will probably not exceed $50 per
bale, making total on cotton about
81, 10000. The loss on presses and sheds
is estimated at $4,000. 1t is thought the
fire started from a cigarette which some
person threw among the cotton.
For three blocks around the burning
presses people moved out fearing the fire
would spread to their homes. Fire thieves
got in generous work.
When the walls of the Orleans cotton
press fell three men were seen under the
falling mass. Shortly the unfortunate
tiremen were taken from the ruins, moan
ing and crying with pain, and taken to the
hospital, where their injuries We're dressed.
The men all belong TO No. l3. Their names
are Captain Alfred Dupree, Lieutenant
Shaw and Pipeman Bordeaux. Dupree is
slightly injured, but the other two are
badly hurt.
While the cotton press fire was raging
an alarm was sent in from a fire in the res
idence portion of the city bounded by Lau-
rel. Annunciation and Second and Third
streets. A gale was blowing and the
flames were famed in all directions. Sew
eral engines went to the scene but before
they conld get TO active work many build
ings were in flames. Every engine on both
sides of the river was then summoned.
People living in the neighhorhood took
fright and a wild scene ensued Houses
were dismanted and the contents carried
away. House after house went down ard
the efforts of the firemen seemed in
vain in face of the overwhelming
odds. The flames spread in every direc-
tion, owing TO the varying winds, end
soon the section bounded by First. Th ID ..
Laurel and Magazine streets, four squ.r>s,
was ablaze, and the wooden buildings
were devoured as if they were SO much
chaff. Every building in the four squares
mentioned. except four, was DESTROYED.
Hundreds of people were left homeless by
the fire, and in many cases nothing Will
be saved from the burning buildings.
The scene presented is truly one of desc
lation. Nothing remains of many hand
some buildings embraced in the four
squares but blackened ruins. The losses
by the fire are estimated at s. 10000 1t
IS believed that the buildings were mostly