New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-13
FLAMES ON THE WEST SIDE.
BIG BRAIN ELEVATOR DESTROYED.
1ocoMoTlFE- WHITES GIVE THE ALARM
THEorbRE, B. CHASE & co. LOSE THEIR
sToCK-THIRTY- FoURTH-sr. PILED
HIGH WITH GRAIN.

sToCK-THIRTY- FoURTH-sT. PILED
HIGH WITH GRAIN.
Loud blasts on locomotive whistles In the freight
ward OF the New-York Central and Hudson River
Railroad Company the North River. south Of
Thirty -fourthst., few minutes before / p. m yes
terday gave warning Of a fire In the grain elevator
and mill Of Theodore Il. Chase Co., at Thirty
,onrth.st. and Eeventh-ave. Flames had started In
,he TOP of the four-story building and were rising
above the roof when the fremen responded to the
first alarm. A second and third alarm were rung
onickly. The burning building had frontage OF
100 feet the south side OF Thirty-fourthst, and
on equal frontage the west side of Elevenhave.,
hut was shallow on account OF It's irregular shape,
as rear wall following curve in one of the railroad
tracks 1t adjoined the haymarket buildings,
rhich extend to the river, and separated by
the width OF the street from fe Manhattan Market.
It's walls above the second story were without win
dovs the grain bins being placed In the third and
fourth stories There were forty-three bins, each
having capacity OF about 5000 bushels
Although the flames started the top OF the
elevator they quickly burned down into the bins full
Of grain and they high above the roof, throwing
waves of intense heat against the surrounding build
,ncs The blank walls which shut in the grain bins
preyrnted the iremcn from throwing streams OF
water into that part Of the building where water
was needed most, and the heat from the flames
above the roof kept them back from the front walls
STRAINS turned upon the walls and roof OF
the Manhattan Market and the hay market Duid'
ings to keep them from taking fire. Similar pro-
lection was given to a of tenehenthouses on tile
east side Of Eleventh-ave., behind which was the
large woodward Of Cornelius Daily. BY hard WORK
she firemen were able to confne the fire to tho
elevator. AS the fire burned away the supports OK
the bins in the upper stories, the burning grain
poured down and out through openings In the lower
stories and the yellow streams continued to flow
until great heaps OF grain piled In Thirty
fourth-st The roof and floors Of the elevator 1eil
in soon after D. M, and then the danger to the
adjoining buildings at an end. Great CRACKS
showed in the front wall, which still remained stand
ing when the fire was under control.
Foreman George F. Bsbcock, OF Engine company
No a. had a narrow escape at the fire. lie was
among the fremen who first arrived at the burning
elevator and he led his company straight up to the
second floor in the hope Of heading on the flames
there The men were soon driven back and Babcock
was Obliged 10 crawl out Of window, where he hung
fast to the sill until ladder pushed up toward
him. The ladder was too short to reach him, but he
droppcd several feet TO the top rung and climbed
down unhurt.
Mr. Chase watched the FIRE, and was so much over
come by the sight Of ruin that he refused TO talk ABOUT
his losses. HIS son and some of his employees SAID
that the firm probably would lose 100000, and that
the firms insurance probably would not cover the loss
The building and machinery belonged to the New
Central and Hudson River Railroad Company. and were
said to have cost about S125,O0O. The loss OF the
company believed to be about 100000, covered
Theodore B. Chase & Co. owned all of the grain In
the building II was said The building was erected
about three years ago. on the site OF mill which was
burned in the conlagratiOn which destroyed the old
bay market and many other buildings in the block.
The cause of the fire yesterday was not known.