Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-04-07
BIG FIR AT NEW ORL Fans.
Io" ae5, coo --Thousnd, of bales of Co

Lose ae5, COO -Thouand, of Bales of Cot
TON Burnod--Four squares ofthe City
r"stroyed
NEW ORLEANS, April 3.--One of the
most destructive cotton fires OH record
| broke out at 1880 this morning, among
some cotton on tho sidewalk ia front Of
the fire proof press on North Front street,
between Race and Orange. The flames ran
high and in almost an incredibly short time
had communicated to the press itself and
were working their way along the
woodwork OF tho room. A general alarm
was sent in and all the engines in the city
except two or thr ee were called out. The
fire proof press had about 1000 bales Of
cotton stored in it. This was entirely con-
sumed.
The firen1en could not enter the press to
save tho staple, for the flames were raging
on every side. In half an hour after the
flames had started the tre-proof was totally
consumed and flames had communicated to
the Shipper press In this press were stored
90, 600 bales OF cotton, some of which was
saved. The ma jor portion Of the staple,
however were soon in flames. 1t required
but very short time, with the high wind
that was blowing, to destroy this press. The
walls soon looked like charred pillars totter-
ing to and fro, endangering the lives of the
tiremen, several of whom had narrow es-
capes.
The sight was an inspiring one. For
space of about three blocks n sheet Of flame
shot upward. The smoke and sparks from
the fire were blown down into the streets by
the wind and choked and singed the spec
tators. Suddenly a small fame was seen to
leap skyward from a corner Of the Indi-
pendence Press. In a second almost the
tire square was ablaze and the flame, formed
almost u solid block OF fire. In the yard
were stored 10000 bales Of cotton. This
proved excellent fuel for the flames, and in
little time it was consumed
While the cotton press fire was raging
an alarm was sent in for fire in the resi-
dence portion of the oity, bounded by
LAUREL Annuuciation, Second and Third
streets. AT the time the fire department,
police and large majority Of the residents
of the burning districts were at the otton
press fire. A gale was blowing and tho
flames were famed in all directio Chief
OConnor sent several engines to the scene,
but before they could get down to active
work dozen houses were in flames. Every
available engine on both sides OF the river
was summoned to the scene.
The heat was intense and the wind BILE
tongues of flames across the street. House
after house went down and the efforts Of the
overworked tremeu seemed in vain. The
flames spread in every direction owing to
varying winds. The fire swept across
Laurel street with alarming rapidity and
soon the whole section bounded by First,
Third, Laurel and Magazine streets-four
squares-was abaze. Every building in the
four squares mentioned, except four, was
destroyed.
Most of the houses were small but some
very handsome houses on Magazine street
were consumed. Hundreds of people have
been left homeless and In many cases moth
ing was saved from the burning buildings.
The scene presented was one OF desolation
The losses by this fire are estimated at
$3.50, 900. 1t is believed the buildings were
mostly insured.