, 1892-08-27
MILLIONS ON FIRE.
New York's Finest Amusement
Place Destroyed.
Loss of Life at "A wooster street
g strOyed in Georgia and Cali
Building-What the Flames De-
fOrnia-TRe Losses.

Building-WhRt the Flames De-
fOrnia-TRe Losses.
NEW YORK, August 27.-The splendid
Metropolitan opera house took fire this
morning and for awhile there was the
widest rumors in the city of an extensive
conhagration. The front part was saved,
but the stage and auditorium on Seventh
avenue was destroyed and the fire spread
to the Gedney house. One man, a scene
painter, was badly hurt and removed to
the hospital. The estimated loss is $780,
900.
Only one person was injured, a boy
named Cornelius Mans, employed by AL
fred Operti, scenic artist, who was using
part of the opera house temporarily as his
studio. The boy was hemmed in bv the
flames on the third door, but he made his
way to one of the windows and from there
he leaped down to the storm door shed on
the ground floor. He is not believed to be
seriously hurt. Artist Operati arrived at
the theatre just as the fire was discovered,
and had the modification to see his works
of art, upon which he bad spent cOnsidera-
bic time and had travelled over the world
to get sketches of, burned up. Most of the
pictures which he was at present engaged
on were for use at the worlds
fair and the Columbian celebration
which is to take place in this city during
the coming October. The scenery for the
new plays TO be produced in a few days at
the Casino and Daly's theater and Aoad-
enly of Music was also burned. They are
said to be complete loss, and in cOnse-
quence will probably cause delays in the
production Of the plays. When the flames
had been sufficiently subdued to permit an
entrance to the building it was seen that
flafr
the rear wall on Seventh avenue, had been
entirely swept away excepting the bare
brick walls.
The roof above the stage was entirely
burned away and the sky could be seen
above through the smoke that still arose
from the ruins. In the auditorium the
five tiers that rose above the orchestra still
remained, but all the trappings of boxes,
the upholsterings of chairs, the frescos Of
wall and dome had vanished. On either
corner of the building facing Broadway IL
rises to height of seven stories
the six upper stories being oc-
cupied as apartments by bache-
lors and others. This portion of
the building was not even injured by water.
No one is able to give an account exactly
of how the fire broke out, except that II
seemed to come from beneath the stage.
There was large Water-tank above the
stage and the engineer turned the crank
anu lGb Apo nunQIHun VI khllOllo VI MdbbI
crash down upon the flames, but the water
produced no visible effect on the building;
and the stage carpenter turned the hose on
the flames, but in a moment was obliged
TO fly for his life The fire spread
too rapidly and burned too fercely TO per
nit those within the building to make fur
ther efforts to save it. A meeting of the
stockholders will be Immediately called
and undoubtedly the work of relitting the
opera house will be begun as soon as the
water can be gotten ont of it. 1t will be
necessary to practically reht the
entire interior, as almost everything
is so damaged it must be removed and
nothing but bare walls will remain. Even
these must be repaired in places.
SEVERAL MEN KILLED.
NEW YORK, August PA disastrous
fire, carrying death with it, broke out in
the large fve-story building, 1920, 1922,
1924 and 1926 Wooster street today and ex-
tended through to the side street. The
flames started about 10 o'clock and spread
with such rapidity that soon the entire
building was ablaze. Five persons were
severely burned or otherwise injured and
it is feared others lost their lives, as there
we're over 100 persons in the building when
the fire started. Fireman Larry Stack re-
CblNcu lLlBubluI luJuIlbs ny "a lhlllnS wall
and Fireman Lang was also badly injured
in the sBme way. The latter was warned
Of threatening disaster by companions,
but did not understand until too late. The
building was occupied by the United
States Frame and Picture Company Belt,
Butler & Co., woods and furs; Bloomstocks,
hats and caps; W. J. Kelly, publisher ahd
R. Wagner, paper box manufacturer.
NEWSPAPER OFFICE GONE.
AUGUSTA, Ca, Aug. 28.-A destructive
fire, which broke out here early this morn
ing, destroyed the Augusta Chronicle Of
flee and five business houses. Total loss.
$500 900. The entire morning edition Of the
Chronicle was worked off while the build.
ing was in flames. The files of the paper
from 1900 to date and books were saved.
Insurance about 100000.
WHEAT BURNED.
CHICO, Cal, Aug. PA big fire occurred
at Butte City last night. A warehouse be-
longing to the estate of Jos. Baunds, con-
tanning 5000 sacks Of wheat, Jacobs store
building, Hockheimer's store, millinery
store, saloon, and barbershop we're de-
stroyed. Loss between $20,0C0 and $50, 900,
partially insured. Origin unknown.
Accident While Driving.