New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-28
FLAMES IN THEOPERA HOUSE
DAMAGE TO THE METROPOLITAN'S STAGE
AND AUDITORIUM
THE LOSS WILL AMOUNT TO ABOUT 100000
MUCH VALUABLE SCENERY DESTROYED
-oRIGIN OF THE FIRE
MYSTERY


-oRIGIN OF THE FIRE
MYSTERY
Flames wrought havoc In the Metropolitan Op-
era House yesterday, completely destroying the
stage and scenery and scorchng the interior OF the
great auditorium. The freproof partitions helped
the fremen to save the Broadway end Of tho
building which was not damaged seriously, and
the strong walls Of the great structure stood un-
hurt by the heat of the fire, but the loss of prop
crty is estimated TO be about 100000.
1t was 80 a. m. when the fire was discovered
on the stage Artists and decorators had been at
work there for days under the direction Of Henry
E. Hoyt the scenic artist. making scenery for
Days Theatre and for the Casino.
Four persons were in the Seventh-ave. end of
the Opera House when the fire started. Captain
Scattergood the engineer, was on the stage with
Charles Brown, the stage carpenter, and an
other carpenter, named Baxter. Cornelius Holan,
a paint-boy In the employ Of Mr.. Hoyt, had gone
up stairs to rooms on the fourth floor at the
Thirty -ninthst. side The men on the stage were
startled by the sudden appearance Of the flames
up in the flies, near the proscenium arch and
toward the Thirty-nnth-st. side. The flies were
alled with freshly painted scenery, which caught
fire instantly and burned like tinder So rapid
was the rush of the fire across the stage that
it was like an explosion. The three men ran for
their lives, going out into Seventh-ave., where
Scattergood rang An alarm for the fire-engines.
Holan saw the smoke rising from the
stage below him, and he ran to a window over
looking Thirty-ninth-st to call for help. Albert
Operti one of Mr.. Hoyts artists was going to the
stage entrance and saw IIolan at the window He
gave the alarm and made attempt to force
an entrance at the doors in Thirty-ninth-st The
strong doors were locked, however, and he could
not get in. Smoke was rising at that time In
great clouds from the openings over the stage.
Holan jumped down well-hole from the third
floor to the entrance in hirty-ninth-st., and was
hurt so seriously that he lay helpless inside the
building
Firemen arrived quickly In response to the first
alarm and tried to rescue Holsn. ladder was
run up 20 the window in Thiry-nnth-st at
which the boy had been seen, but smoke filed that
part of the building, and the ilremen who went up
the ladder could not find him. Other tircmen at
tackled the doors which the boy had fallen
They banged away with axes for several minutes
before the doors flow open. Then they rushed in
Isaac Washhurn, OF Hook and Ladder Company
No. s. stumbled Mann the foot OF the
shaft and carried him out To The sidewalk. The
boy unable to speak. An ambulance which
was called by the hrcmen carried him 10 the
Rooscyel, Hospital second alarm had been
sounced az soon as the first engine company ar
rived Two additional alarms followed rapidly
Battalion Chief Gicque sent a fifth alarm before
l o a. Ia, and before long twenty-five engines were
az work. One engine broke down at Broadway
u IT'D and ckal fba
cars for hour.
The firemcn attacked the flames from every side
Those who went into the building at the entrances
in Thirty-ninth-st, Broadway and Fortieth-st.
dragged lineb Of hose directly 20 the tiers OF
boxes. some the lowest tier ard Others nearer
10 the roof The iron curtain which should have
protected the auditorium from the fire the
stage had not been drawn down. There was
strong draught. which carried the flames up
through the openings IN the roof Of the stage
but the intense heat set fire 10 the railings of the
boxes back to the Broadway end Of the audi
torium and caused the ceiling TO crumble in places
over the orchestra chairs wooden floor
which had remained in place since the last ball
in the building Smoke rose from this floor
From number Of boxes at TIE sides of the
auditorium the fremen directed streams at the
stage, at the ceiling and at the wooden floor
were taking fire.
From the upper floors Of the Broadway end
of the building the occupants of rooms fled 10
the street or TO the restaurant on the ground
floor, while the firemon took possession of the
rooms and opened the windows to lct out the
smoke
At the Scventh-ave end OF the building the
ircncn soon forced their way into rooms over
looking Thirty-nnth-st., in which were valuable
books belonging to Mr.. Hoyt decorative hangings
and portions Of wardrobcs. They threw numter
of large, handsomely illustrated volumes out Of
the windows into the street Fircmcn also worked
on the roof, directing streams through the open
inas above the stage. large window in the
Scventh-avc. wall knocked out to admit
streams of water. When all of the engines were
at work there a scarcity Of water in the
street mains, but signal fer increased pressure
soon brought plentiful supply
All the scenery of the Metropolitan Opera House
Company was totally destroyed. But much Of
il was old and not very valuable. IIoyt's scenery
for "Thc Scarlet Letter. was also burned. a.
well as his scenery for Days Tempest" ami
some scenery being prepared for the new ballctS
Of the Casino Arson Pond lost scenery which
he catmltcs at being worth about $1,000 1t
for new play. The costumes were saved
unharmcd, with the exception Of Of Grau'-
old French costumes, which were slightly dam
aged by water.
IIoan is not expected TO recover from his in
juries. lie exhibits all the symptoms of a
fracture Of the skull.
Great crowds gathered in Broadway and in
Seventh-ayc. Police reserves were called from
four precincts TO establish fire lines. Chief Bon
nrr had arrived 70 take command Of the hrcmcn
when he heard that four alarms had been rung
for another fire at Prince and Wooster sts.
'Ie waited until he thought the Metropolitan
Opera House could be saved from destruction and
then hastened downtown with several of Tie
engine companies The flames in the Opera Iousc
were under control about il "A. m By that tlme