The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-04
AWHIRLWIND OF FLAME.
TWO FIRES LICK Up $2,75o,ooo AT
NEW ORLEANS,
4 THE MORNIN NEWS.
I lEsrABI.IsHED1S50. .ISCoRPoRATEDiSsS.
J. II, ESTILL, President.


this morning among some cotton on the
sidewalk in front Of fire-proof press on
North Front street, between Race and
Orange, Parties who saw smoke issuing
from among the bales gave an alarm i'm
mediately, and q few minutes otter the bells
rang out No SO. The departmen responded
promptly, but the wind was go high
and the cotton so dry that it burned like
tissue paper. The flames ran high, and in
al almost incredibly short space Of time
had communicated to the press Itself aud
we're working their way along the wood
work to the roof. Tho firemen worked like
beavers to check the progress ot the flames
hut their efforts were unavalling. Chief
OCounor, seeing the serious proportions Of
the fire. had Immediately sounded repeated
alarms, which had the effect of
bringing more engines to the scene
Additional pipes were run out and
extra streams of water were pumped on the
flames, but they had no effect whatever.
The flames leaped up ward from every part
of the compress. After three repeated
alarms, a general alarm was sent in aud 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 consumed.
It would have been madness for the flremen
to enter the press to save the staple.
ANOTHER PRESS ABLAzE.
In half an hour after the flames had
started the press was totally consumed and
the flames had communicated to the upper
press. The destruction here was as great as
at the other press. In a marvelously short
space of time the flames had attacked the
building from all sides, working their way
through the woodwork with wonderful
rapidity. In this press was stored
50 900 bales of cotton, some of which
was taken out and taken to q place Of
safety. The major portion Of she staple
however, was III flames In short time, and
it was impossible to save it, The fierce
element of destruction ate its way along the
rafters of the press and down through the
woodwork into the cotton, which was
stored beneath the sheds. 1t was the only
cotton stored in the yard. That was saved.
It required but very short time, with the
high wind that was blowing, TO destroy this
press. The sight was an awe-inspiring one.
For a space of at least two blocks a sheet
OF flame shot upward: Smoke and sparks
from the fire were blown down into the
streets by the winds and choked and singed
the spectators.
A THIRD PRESS CATCHES.
Suddenly a small flame was seen to leap
skyward from q corner Of the Independence
press. In a second almost the entire square
was ablaze, and the flames formed almost a
solid block Of fire. In the yard were
stored some TO- 900 bales OF the feecy staple
In a little time it was consumed At length
four rows of charred walls were all that
stood to remind one that large buildings
had once occupied the site. the last to
catch was the Orleans. The place was
gutted and its contents, consisting Of about
&c, 900 bales, were consumed. There was no
chance to save any portion Of the cotton as
the work Of destruction was very rapid.
For some time the men worked on these
flames, and when it became apparent that
none Of the cotton could be saved. they de-
voted their attention to the surrounding
structures. Water was poured into the
windows and through the doorways
and everything was thoroughly wet
This probably prevented a number of con-
fagrations, as sparks were falling in all
directions. The walls Of the different
burned presses fell within short time of
each other. In each case there was sud
den trembling, which caused those near the
walls to fall back precipitately. A heavy
surging and then q deafening crash that
could be heard squares away and the streets
would be strewn with bricks and other
material. The district burned over is
bounded by Peters. Front, Tbalia and
Robin streets, and the presses destroyed
oIo de LOllOWbs
e-proof-Penrose Bros. managers,
South Front street, southwest corner OF
Robin street.
Shippers-Boyd & Herrick, proprletors,
South Peters street, between Henderson and
Robin.
Independent cotton yard, South Peters
street.
Orleans cotton press, Adam Larch. man
sger South Peters street, between Taalia
aud Ierpsichore.
The total amount Of cotton burned as
near as can now be asoertained, is estimated
az $4,000 bales, held by factors and COM
mission merchants, and covered by their
open policies Much of this cotton will be
sent 10 the Dickeries and saved 80 that the
total loss will probably not exceed $50 per
Gale, making the total loss on cotton Of be-
tween 100000 and $2.250,000. The loss
N5OOO0
1t Is thought that the fire started from a
cigarette, which some person threw among
'ne cotton. For blocks around the burning
presses residents moved out their furniture
tI soI lear that the fire would spread to their
aOhes. In thsir flight they would often
.ufo" down their parcels in the street.
"lere a number of fire thieves, who are
seaeraIly in attendance on these occasions,
EN In their work.
THREE FIREMEN INJURED.
While the flremen were working on the
mg,proof press at the corner OF Terpsichore
l aul Feters streets the walls suddenly shook
ain an instant came tumbling down, and
~ ~ me horror of the already excited crowd
XT1e XyRlee men were seen falling under the mass.
uHung hands were soon working on the
maIS and shortly the unfortunate fremen
"GIe taken from the ruins. The men all
TTeaonged to No. 13. They are Capt. Alfred
5Ioupee, Lieut.. Shaw and Pipeman Bor-
jUu1 Capt. Dupee was only slightly in
hurt 0'A0A WV --'0A N''
- ANOTHER DISTRICT ABLAZE.
nnile the cotton press fire was raging an
n".. ,l u was sent in for fire in the residence
f,~on fsn.ooIn OF the city, it being bounded by
s,-'el' Annunciation, Second and Third
ai1.@ noi1.@t At the time the FIRE department,
fba"e, and large majority of
w., residents OF the burning dis
c.II I' were at th Q cotton press fire.
fsrs frrs was blowing and the flames were
sem seed In all directions. Chief O'Connor
tba' several engines to the scene, but before
ho3..lco could get down TO active work dozen
sant es were in flames. Alarms were
hoN IN and every engine on
srr sides of the river was
ter-sloned to the scene. The heat was in
baarva'.a ana for this reason 1t was almost un-
win ioie near the burning buildings, the
AaroaI'u vi many instances blowing tongues Of
acrnee es across the street. The fire swept
yyesos Laurel street with q rapidity that
ho,,.aV az once alarming, and soon the section
I'D Y arnlp and