Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-04-09
KINDLED In COTTON.
A Great Fire on the Water Front in
New Orleans.
rumbling Walls and Injured Firemen--
Exciting Scenes During the
Fire--Heayy Loss.

One Of the most destructive cotton fires on
record broke out at 1879 o'clock in the morn.
ing among some cotton on the sidewalk in
front of the ire-proof pres, on North Front
street. between Race and Orange, New Or
leans. The persons who saw smoke issuing
from among the bales gave the alarm imme-
diately and few minutes latter the bellsrang
out so" The department responded prompt
ly, 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 had commlni-
Gated to the press itself, and were running
along the woodwork of the roof. The fremen
worked like demons to check the progress OF
the flames, but their efforts were unavailing.
Chief O'Connor. seeing the serious proportions
OF the blaze, had Immediately sounded re-
peated alarm, which had the effect of bringing
more engines to the scene. Additional pipes
were soon out and extra streams of water
pumped on the flames, but they had no effect
whatever. The woodwork cracked and fell
to the ground.
Through the yards swept the FIRE, carrying
devastation with it as it went, cotton and
After three repeated alarms general alarm
WAS sent in and all the engines in the city
with the exception of two o, three were called
out. The fire-proof press had about 10 00o bales
OF cotton stored in it. This was entirely con-
sumed. II would have been madness for fire.
men to enter the press to save the staple, for
on every side the flames were raging. forming
formidable and impregnable fire wall. The
streets were lined with spectators drawn to
the scene from every portion OF the city.
In half an hour after the flames had started
the fire proof was totally consumed and the
flames had communicated to the upper press.
The destruction here was as great rs at the
o her press. In marvelously short space OF
time the flames had attacked the building
from all sides, eating their way through the
woodwork with wonderful rapidity. In this
pre- was stored 81, 600 bales of cotton, some
of which was taken out and carrie | TO place
of safety.
Along the rafters of the press and down
through the woodwork into the cotton which
was stored beneath the press the fumes went.
Only cotton stored in the yard was saved.
The sight was an awe-insplring one. For
space of at least oftwo blocks sheet OF finn
shot upward. Smoke and sparks from the
II e wer5 blown down into the streets and
choked and singed the spectators.
Suddenly small flame was seen TO leap
skyward from corner of the independence
Press. In a second almost the entire square
Was ahlaze and the flames formed solid block
of fire.
The last press to catch was the Orleans.
The place was Quilted, and its contents, con-
sisling of about 20 900 bales were consumed.
There was no chance TO save any portion
OF the cotton, as the work of destruction was
very rapid. When it became apparent that
none of the cotton could be saved the tremen
devoted their attention to the surrounding
structures.
The district burned over is bounded by Pc
tiers, Front Thalla aud Robin streets, and the
presses destroyed are as follows:
Fire-proof Penrose Bros, managers, South
Front street. southwest corner of Robin street.
Shippers, Boyd and Herrick proprietors,
South Peters street, between Henderson aud
Robin.
independence Cotton Yard, South Peters
street.
Orleans Cotton Press, Adam Torch manager,
South Peters street, between Thaia and Terp-
sichore.
The total amount of cotton burned as near
as now can be ascertained, is estimated at
$4,000 bales, held by factories and commission
merchants, and covered by their open policies.
Much OF this cotton will be sent 10 the pick
cries and saved, so that the total loss will
probably not exceed $50 bale, making the
total loss on cotton between $4,000 coo and
81, $50, 600. The loss OIL presses and sheds is
estimated at $4,000 1t is thought the fire
stlrted from q cigarette which some person
threw among the cotton
Fur blocks around the burning presses the
residents moved out their furniture for fear
that the fire would spread TO their homes. In
their flight they would often throw down their
parcels in the street, where fire thieves got in
their work
While the fremen were working on the fire.
p. oOf press at the corner of Terpsiehore and
Peters Streets the walls suddenly fell and
three men were buried un Ter the ruins They
were soon taken out and removed to the hos
initial