The morning call., 1893-04-03
CRASHING FLOORS.
Destructive Fire OF Front
Street.
Wholesale Paint and Oil Warehouse
Partially Destroyed-Los Es-
timated at $4,000.

A destructive fire occurred early yester-
day morning in the wholesale warehouse of
Yates & Co., manufacturers of paints and
oils, 709 and III Front street
An alarm was ruug from box 49, corner
of Front and Broadway, at 3 % o'clock, and
second alarm vas rung fifteen minutes
later.
The warehouse is five story brick
structure. and when the fremen arrived it
was seen that the flames were confined to
the third story at the rear No time was
lost in directing several streams of water
upon the flames, which owing to the in
flammable material were burning fercely.
Meantime members Of the Underwriters
/ Patrol busted themselves in covering the
stock on the ground floor with tarpaulins.
While In the rear portion of this floor they
were startled by a terrific crash above
them, and thinking that an explosion had
taken place they rushed toward the street.
just at this moment large number of
casks of white lead and other material
crashed through the floor above, broke
through the double floor where a minute
before they had been working, and landed
in broken and confused heap IN the base
ment below.
The FIRE, as already stated, started In the
rear portion of the third floor and the flames
away the jOiSts supporting the floor above.
On this floor were stored about fifty casks
Of white lead and zinc, each weigh ng 1000
pounds. As the flames burned away the
supports of the floor the tremendous weight
caused the floor 10 collapse and the casks
crashed down on the third floor, which had
been by this time almost entirely burned
away. The casks went through and struck
the second floor with tremendous force, 60
ing through as easily as If the flooring had
Of oil md inn tp
the first or ground floor the casks and other
stock stored there
Although the ground floor was a double
one and made exceptionally strong it could
not withstand for an instant the irightful
momentum Of the descending casks, which
broke through with terrific noise and were
dashed 10 pieces on the asphalt floor of the
basement. The force Of the conclusion
broke all the windows in the building.
1t was almost miracle that no one was
injured. About thirty casks of white lead
we're stored in the rear of the fifth floor,
which was slightly burned and had sagged
nearly foot owing to the heavy pressure
upon it. As fears were entertained that
this might give way, several firemen were
detailed to remove them 10 the front portion
of the floor. so as not to endanger the lives
of those working below. This was no
light job, as it took four men to lift each
cask.
1t took three hours hard work to thor
OugniY SuDuuS the names, ana IL reuectS
great credit upon Acting Chief Sullivan and
his men that the fire was confined to space
not more than % feet square.
The fire Is supposed to have originated In
the northwest corner of the floor. The
cause is a mystery, but it is supposed to be
a case of spontaneous combustion through
piece of waste-paper saturated with oil
being accideG tally thrown on the floor and
left unnoticed for some time.
The ground floor at the rear presented
desolate scene after the fire. and the base
ment was even worse. 1t was covered with
floating DEBRIS. the water being from two to
three feet deep.
The building, which is one Of a block
owned by James G. Fair, is damaged to the
extent Of about 5000. There is no insur-
ance upon it,
The underwriters estimate the loss on
the entire stock at $4,000, but one of the
members of the finn, G. NJ. Yates, gives it
as nearer $4,000 He states that in var
nishes alone there was about S40,0 coo worth,
and although not a great deal of the stock
has been destroyed by fire, the loss by water
will be very considerable 1t will be I'M
possible. he says, to arrive at a fair estimate
for day or two yet.
AS the belts on the machinery were
burned, it Will be few days before the firm
will be able to start manufacturing opera
tions again.
The loss on the stock is covered by insur-
ance in about thirty different companies.
Repairs to the building will be commenced
this morning.
An alarm was rung from box "a at 3:I5 P.
NJ for fire at 1909 Baker street, Occupip d
by Mrs. Bates. The loss will not amount
to more than $40. Mrs Bates took come
hot ashes. put them in a dry barrel, and
went n the park to enjoy the afternoon.
While driving TO the ire the machine of
Hose Company 10 came 10 grief on Calfor-
mia street. above Webster, through the
breaking OF the front axle. The men were
all thrown onto the street, but no one was
| hurt.