The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-04-09
COTTON FIRE.
The Terrible Conflagration Starts in
the Fire Proof Presses.
In All 10000 Bales Taken on the Market
-One Fdnl Little Cigarette Caused the
Whole LOss-Several Flremeu Hurt
by the Failing of the walls.

New ORLEANS, April 4.--One of the
most destructive cotton fires on record
broke out at 10:30 Sunday morning
among some cotton on the sidewalk in
front of the Fire Proof press, on north
Front street, between Race and Orange.
Persons who saw smoke issuing from
among the bales gave the alarm inn
mediately. A few minutes later the
bells rank out "32" The department
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 were working
their way along the woodwork of the
roof.
After three repeated alarms, u general
alarm was sounded 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 it. This was entirely con
sumed. 1t would have been madness
for firemen to enter the press to save
the staple. On every side the flames
were raging, forming formidable and
impregnable fire wall
In half an hour after the flames had
started the Fire Proof was consumed.
and the flames had communicated to
the upper press. The destruction here
was as great as at the other press In Il
marvelously short space of time the
flames had attacked the building from
all sides, quitting their way through
the woodwork with wonderful rapidity.
In this press were stored goo bales OF
| cotton, some of which was taken out
| and brought to place of safety. The
major portion of the staple, however,
was in flames in short time, and il
was impossible to save it.
For space of at least two blocks a
sheet of flame shot upward. The smoke
and sparks from the fire were blown
down into the streets by the winds, and
cholted and sirged the spectators. Sud.
denly a small flame was seen to lear
| slSyward from a corner of the Indcpend-
ence press. In u 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 flowery staple.
This proved excellent fuel for the
| flames, and in a little time it was con
| sumed. At last four rows of charred
walls were all that stood to remind one
that large building had once occupied
the site. The last press to catch was
the Orleans. The place was gutted and
the contents, consisting of about 20, OOC
bales, were consumed. There was nc
chance to save any portion of the cot.
ton, as the work of destruction was
very rapid.
| The total amount of cotton burned
as near as can now be asccrtained, is cs
timated at $4,000 bales. held by factors
and commission merchants, and covered
by their open policies. Much of this
cotton will lc sent to the piclicries and
| saved. so that the total loss will prob
ably not exceed thirty dollars per bale
making the total loss on cotton between
two and two and Il quarter millions OF
| dollars. Loss on presses and sheds art
estimated at $3.50, 900. 1t is thought the
| fire started from Il cigarette which
some person threw among the cotton
| Several firemcn were hurt by falling
,,,nllg