The sun., 1896-02-06
H0T VORK At A FLAT FIRE.
Eight Trronicr Overcome-A Woman Gors
Hack Tor Her Pocketbook and 1s Badly
Burued-Flnts Robbed During the Fire.

Fire was discovered at ~ o'clock last night
In the Sorrento apartment house, "a and 20
West 125th street Policeman Bailey OF the
East loGth street station saw smoke coming
from the cellar and turned IN an alarm from
the box at Fifth avenue and l26th street.
A few minutes later q citizen turned in an
alarm from box ut 123d street and Madison
avenue. These alarms brought engines from
two districts and when the fremcn arrived
they found tho flames spreading to the store on
the ground floor of the building, occupied by
the Harlem Chair Company.
The smoke went up through the house and
drove out the four families on the upper floors.
Charles G.. Thomas, who occupied the ffth
floor. escaped by way OF the roof. taking his
wifc and baby with him. The other tenants
got out by the stairways.
The flames spread to the other side of tho nat
at No. 20 and drove the tho tenants out from
there. Tie smoke went up through the Anidnl
apartment house at Nos. 2S and 30 and eight
families there scrambled out in hurry.
The newly vanished chairs in the furniture
compauy's store burned very rapidly, and tho
firemen had to go into the building to fight the
flames.
Fireman Luke McSherry OF Truck Ia and
Fireman Walter OF Engine 35 went into the
cellar with hose. McShorry was overcome by
drug store.
Near where Walter was at work q gas pipe
burst and he was overcome by the escaping gas.
Both men were restored to consciousness by
Drs. Lang and Page. who reside In the neigh
borhood.
Firemen John ONeill and Dennis Ryan Of
EnRine,35 were at work on the third floor The
smUke drove them away from their hose. and
they crawled on their hands and knees to the
first floor where they were overcome.
Both were rescued in an unconscious condi-
hos.. and Martin, Of Engine 80, we're also over.
come. and had to be assisted from the cellar.
When the excitement was greatest q woman
jnnitor. She had been away visiting friends.
and upon returning discovered tho hremen at
Mrs. Berg had left her pocke book. containing
SoE In her In ths rear OF the
and got. her ,pocketbook. Finding herself sur
rounded by the flames she screamed for help.
glass. She was badly cut about the face, and
The next Incident WAS the rescue of a prize
pug dog. owned by c. B. Thomas. Thomas
shouted that he would Hns, for
building and brought the dog out in safety. :.
and burned through the upper floors Of both
apartment houses. The firemen worked for two
Many Of the tenants notified the police that
their flats had been robbed during the progress
of tie fire. articles OF jewelry aud money being
stolen.
Chief Duane. while on his way to the fire. was
thrown from his wagon at the corner OF Third
avennc and l25tb street. One OF the wheels of
the wagon came on The Chief wa, not I'M iured.
The losses reported were as follows: J. Pal
menberg. owner Of tho building. S22. 900;
Harlem Chair Company: $50, 900: sam Bros.
berg. jewcler. No. 2s. 81 500; Theodore Seiz.
picture dealer. No. 80, $1,000.
light Of the te ants living in the upper por-
tlon Of tho buildings sustained losses ranging
from $500 to s., 900.