Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-27

ooCes IN OCtODer. loo0, unQef the MANAGEMENT
Of Henry Abbey. Since the hrst season il has
been devoted chiefly to German opera. num-
Der OF the Wagner operas were produced at the
opera house with great splendor and effective
moss. 1t was also the scene of the great balls
each season, the last one Of national importance
being the centennial ball The yearly box
holders included among this number many
millionaires
When the flames had been sufficiently snb-
dued to permit entrance to the building 1t was
seen that the stage and everything from the
Proscenium arch to the rear wall on 7th avenue
had been entirely swept away excepting the bare
brick wallis The roof above the srage entirely
burned away and the sky could be seen above
through the smoke that still arose from the
ruins. In the auditorium the. five tiers that
rose above the orchestra still remained, but all
the trappings Of the boxes, the upholstering Of
had vanished. In the boxes and on the tiers
above the iron frames of the chairs
alone remained. The flames burned
fercely here, but they did not make their way
through the roof, and that still remained.
Further than the entrance doors to the audi
forum the flames had not succeeded in making
their way. No trace Of the flames was seen in
that part Of the building fronting on Broadway.
On either corner Of the building facing Broad
way 1t rises to q height Of seven stories. the
six upper stories being occupied as apartments
by bachelors and others. This portion Of the
building was not even injured BY water, nor
did the occupants find it necessary to leave
their apartments. Indeed, while the crowd on
Broadway stood watching the smoke rising
from the rear Of the building maid
servant could be seen near an open window.
duster in hand. calmly pursuing her accustomed
housewifely duties. At other windows ladies
stood dressed in morning gowns looking down
at the putting engines and the crowd on the
further sidewalk. As far as can be learned
there were present in the opera house portion
81 Al e
four persons, Stage Carpenter Brown, the as
sistant stage carpenter and Cornelius Maus, the
scenic artists assistant, who had such q narrow
escape, and Engineer Scattergood- None Of
these seem able to give any account Of
how or exactly where the fire broke
out except that y seemed to come from be-
meath the stage and to spread with marvellous
rapidity. Every one said there was no fire or
cause for FIRE in that part Of the building.
There was Q large water tank above the stage
and the engineer turned the crank and let its
hundreds Of gallons Of water crash down upon
the flames, but the water produced no visible
effect.
ANOTHER SERIOUS FIRE.
New York Aug. IA disastrous fire, carry
ing with it death, broke out in the large Ave
story brick building Nos. 40, 122, 124 and 12e
Wooster street, and extended through to Nos.
120 and 122 Prince street. As far as could be
learned early over 100 persons were in the build
ing at the time the fire broke out
and II was reported that fifteen men lost their
lives by the awful crssh Of the walls. Many
were also said to be injured in escaping. Sew
eral were reported missing, and there was such
state Of excitement and panic
about that no certain estimate of death could be
made for some time. The fire started about
10 o'clock in the basement Of the Wooster street
end. occupied by the United States Frame and
Picture Company. The flames spread with
marvellous rapldity. and soon the entire build
ing was in blaze. Meanwhile from the win
dows by FIRE escapes and by the roof to the ad-
joining buildings people could be seen fleeing
for their lives. A third and fourth alarm Of
fire soon followed the first in short order The
occupants OF the buildings were: Basement and
top floors, United States Frame and Picture
Company; first, Belt. Butler Co., woods
hats and caps,.and w. ). Kelley, publisher;
third and fourth floors, R. H. Wagner Co.,
paper box manufacturers. OF the injured the
following were early reported: William Sperry,
forty-eigh years old, back, head and
shoulders burned; Mary E. Hanley, 80 Cathe-
rine street, seriously burned, will die; Mary
Guerizoo, seventeen years old, 219 Thompson
street. burned about the body. Fireman Larry
Stack, Engine Company No. IL. frightfully in
jured by failing wall Fireman Jacob Langwas-
ser Engine Company SO, injured by falling wall.
The injured we're removed to st. Vincent's Hos
pital
Shortly before midday when the fire was
pretty well under control about dozen fire.
men were sent up the fire escape Of No. 122
to direct q stream. When they resc he'd
the third story the front wall began to bulge,
and before the men could escape they were
hurled into the street. About six were carried
down with the falling wall Four were buried
under the debris. Morris Stack Of engine No.
"a was buried under pile of bricks and 1t took
his companions five minutes to dig him out. He
was seriously injured.
Augusta E. Gesser, who lives at 1ls Spring
street, plunged from window into the street.
Her body was badly bruised and her face and
arms were burned. 1t is now thought that the
rest of the employees got out of the building in