New-York tribune., 1899-02-13
MANHATTAN BRASS COMPANY SUFFERS.

THE FACTORY BUILDING. IN EAST TWENTY
EIGHTH ST. WRECKED BY FLAMES
Fire wrecked the factory building OF the Man
haitian Brass Company. in East Twenty eighth St.
yesterday afternoon When the Aremen left the
place nothing but the walls were standing The
majority OF the fire companies that answered 10 the
four alarms that were sent in had barely got back
from fighting the flames that destroyed Nilsson
Hall. Many OF the men forced don their
soaked clothing and again battle fire I'm weather
that would make anybody but a fireman quail.
1t was 4 few minutes past noon when boy rushed
into the Offices of the company at No. 23s East
Twenty-eighth~st and told the watchman. William
Tunison. that the building was ahre The assistant
superintendent. William Wilson: the engineer. Neur
and two other employees of the company had just
left the building 20 10 dinner.
An alarm was sent in from the box AZ First-ave
and Twonty-hrst-st.. but before the first company
had arrived the flames had got such a start that
st apparent 10 the hromen that the place was
doomed. Within few minutes the second third
and fourth alarms had been sent in. bringing sew
enteen engines and two hreboats 10 the scene
As sooa the additional companies arrived they
turned their attention to saving the milling depart
ment and the houses adjoining the company's
plant Immediately IN the rear and also adjou-
ing the factory IN Twenty-eghth-st. are big foUr-
story tenement-hOdses ne FAMILIES in all tnese
houses became nuch excited at hTst ana began
taking their furniture and Yalusbles out The FIRE
men soon convinced them, however. that there was
no immediate danger and assured them that the
flames could be confined 70 the factory building
According TO TunisOn the fire started on the FIRST
floor Of ;he factory building near the elevator shaft
and stairway leading 10 the upper floors 50 quickly
did the flames spread that within ten minutes after
they were first discovered the entire building was
abaze.
The building that burned one Of three which
the company occupies. 1t - hve-story brick
structure facing IN Twenty -eighth-st Immediately
In the 81 he factory, or finishing department.
IL called, are the stables Of the company
When the fire broke out there were six horses IN
The stable. They got out without accident.
however. Back OF the stables and facing Twenty
seventh-st Is the rolling mill belonging 10 the con-
cern This is new building OF BRICK and IS fix
stories high Neither this building nor the stable
WAS touched by the flames. although both were
pretty well soaked by water.
+. B WaibeL he general superintendent was
seen after the fire lie sail: Il cannot understand
how the FIRE began. We have been exceptionally
careful and account Of the intensely cold
weather We had several Of ne companys employees
come down to the factory to-day as precautionary
measure There are no cOmbustibles at the place
in which the fire discovered. Contrary 10 Gus
tom, the engines were kept going on account Of the
cold. his was done TO prevent the steam pipes
from freezing and bursting The entire fire and its
origin a mystery 10
building that burned We are very busy hlling
orders at the present time and carried extra
large stock. The loss to both the building and
ipsured but whether the insurance will cover the