Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-02-12
A STUBBORN BLAZE.
Levi p. Morton Loses a New York Block-The
Total Loss. Halt a Million.

Total Loss. Halt a Million.
New York, Feb. ll--Levi p. Morton's
1-story office building and l. shaped
structure With frontages on Nassau
and Ann street and known as the
Nassau Chambers building was de
stroyed by fire. tonight. The tiremen
had a hard battle and for three hours
after the discovery of the flames at
G. 80 o'clock. there was every prospect Of
a great contiasration. Every fire com
pany in the city from 80 street To the
Battery was called out and IN re-
markedly short time thousands Of pco-
pie had gathered in the continuous
streets ana broadway.
The Derby Desk Go. occupied both
the Nassau and Ann streets stores IN
the basement of the building. where
the fire originated was occupied by the
Herald cycle Co. \ paSserby discoV-
cred the fire and gave the alarm. but So
rapidly lid the flames spread that be
fore the arrival OF the tirrmeu. they
had gained great Roadway and a see
ono. third. fourth, fifth and a general
alarm was sent out in rapid succession
calling u the scene large number Of
tirr fighters Meanwhile the flames
had mounted from the basement to the
top story of the building ana We're
shooting high in the air. sending out an
illumination that could h. seen for
mile around. y high wind prevailed
and showers Of sparks We're carried in
every direction.
From the Nassau Chambers the tt-
spread to the i-stury building adjoining
and the clothing store Of Maduro Bros
on thu ground floor was quickly in
flames The loss here also was prac-
tica!ly complete.
While It group of nremen Vcre at
work on the Ann street side of the fire
there was a loud explosion and a por-
ton Or the building was blown out
Several of thy tircmen Mere badly cut
hy flying glass ana debris and a can
was sent ont which brought several
ambulancts to the scene ana caused a
rumor that a number Of people had
been killed. OF the number injured.
Foreman Edward Pagan of Engine CO.
M. u, alon" sustained any consider
able injuries. and even he. after his
wounds had been dressed. returned to
his WORK.
Thu Murray stationery store occupied
4 small frontage adjoining the Derby
Desk Go. ON Nassau street and this
concern has very little ii anything
left.
Tho upper part Of tn" Nassau cham
beers was occupied by lawyers and as
offices of number of manufacturing
concerns Asscmblyman julius Har-
burg occupied offices on the SECOND
floor. He lost everything, including
valuable library. Assistant Corpora
tion Counsel Lesser. the National Nd
Nertising Co, Smith ANA Hass, III
latter firm occupying the entire
seventh floor. johnson x Bailey, pub
fishers. Simonson X Hudson. brokers.
and the HanoWay Co. publishers. are
among others who suffer severely from
the fire. Acting Capt. Linderman of
the oak Street station. was on hand
early with 100 policemen. who had
great difficulty in keeping back the
vast crowds Of people who had con-
gregated from all part of the city. Tic
entire reserve forces of the Old Slip
and Oak stations were called out to
maintain order and assist the tiremeg.
The Bennett building at the south
caught fire several times, but The
flames We're eXtinquished by the fire
men and employees Of the building A
SCaHolding on the new syndicate build
ing on Park Row was also ignitcd ii
number of times. ana once the wood
work on the 24th floor was blazing.
Several of the men employed by the
contractors hurried to the building
when they learned of the fire and kept
the flames under control
1t was found necessary to call out
more police and Inspector Cross or
dered out every policeman in every
station south Of 18th street who was
not on duty.
The loss at present is estimated At
5000. 600 and the fire is under control.
The larger share Of the loss will be
borne by the Morton interests although
! it vas stated that they are we'll in
sured. Tie Derby Desk Co. and the
MandUro Bros are mentioned as the
next heavy losers.