The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-12-09

New York, Dec. 5.-A large force Of
fremen was still busy at II o'clock in
the morning pouring water on the
buildings involved in the big Broad
way fire. a gang of men was set at
work tearing down the walls of the
building in which was the store of
Rogers. Feet & Co.
Deputy Chief Crocker stated that in
his opinion the losses would not be as
heavy as was at first estimated. He
Lluces the total loss at $500. 600.
E. j. Cochran, night superintendent
of the Postal Telegraph company. said
THAT none of the wires of the company
was damaged. The fire is regarded
by underwriters as one of the most
significant happenings in years and will
undoubtedly have an important bearing
on the adjustme of rates for that
class of buildings. Underwriters have
been frank 10 admit for year or more
that their estimation of the hazards ON
freproof buildings was, to a large ex-
tent. guesswork. since they had no re-
liable data to govern calculations OF
that sort.
Brilliant Spectacle.
The fire was ore of the most spectac-
LAR as we'll as the most destructive that
New York has known in years. 1t was
also the first in which the fire depart
Ment contended against a well-rooted
blaze in the upper stories of modern
sky-scraper, and the result realizes
what Chief Bonner has repeatedly said,
that the fire fighting forces cannot
work 125 feet above the ground.
AT five o'clock in the morning the
eighth floor of the Home Insurance COM
rany building was burning furiously.
On the floors above the inflammable
material was exhausted.
Crowds Match the Blaze.
During the fire Broadway was roped
off by the police and the cable cars were
Lot able to run. \ great crowd gath
e.ed in the street to watch the blaze
ind the operations of the iremen. The
Rogers. Peet 4 Co. buildings ruin. with
though the walls stand. Its destruction
was very rapid. an hour completing the
wreck. The water tower threw a
,.eluse of water into the Rogers, Peet &.
Co, building. which was only five stories
high. but was of no service to the lofty
Home Insurance building next door.
The flames which were deeouring it
were much higher up. apparently out
of reach of the water. The upper win
fows looked like open furnace doors.
The building was fireproof to the ex-
fc 81 Nv,
but the interior burned fiercely. The
occupants of the insurance and tele-
graph buildings had ample warning Of
| danger and there We're no casualties or
panic. The elevators were run until
oil persons got out safely. Indeed, the
Home Insurance building elevator was
operated after the danger point had
| Teen reached and fell one floor while
| loaded with firemen.
l Danger from u Gun Store.
| A gun store on Warren street in the
| rear of Rogers, Peet & Co. gave the
firemen much anxiety, but was saved
| by hard work. 1t contained much am
munition.
The Merchants Exchange national
bank occupied the street floor of the in
surance building and the insurance
company the second floor. The damage
sustained by them is not yet known.
At daylight broadway was still closed
| to pedestrians and wagons. The War.
rem street wall of the Rogers, Peet & Co.
building had fallen inward, but the
broadway street front stands in peril
Gus state of dilapidation and the au.
thorities may not open the street until
tie wrecked frame of the building is
taken down. Firemen are still throw
ing water on the Rogers. Peet ruins.