New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-19
FIRE AT ROSTER d BIAIS.
SUNDAY MORNING BLAZE DAMAGES THE
ROOF GARDEN.

SUNDAY MORNING BLAZE DAMAGES THE
ROOF GARDEN
blaze on the roof garden OF Roster q Blais
Music Hall No AS and 147 West Thirty -fourth-st.
caused unwonted excitement In that nelgnborhood
at $50 o'clock Yesterday forenoon, and aroused
many people from their usual late Sunday morn
ing rest The flames did comparatively little
damage however for they did not find their way
into the auditorium Of the music hall, being con-
fined TO the stage and scenery on the roof Inc
total damage is estimated at 5000. A detecuVe
electric-light wire is supposed TO have been re-
sponsble for the blaze
Three porters attached to the establishment were
on the roof preparing 1t for the weekly sunday
concert in the evening. when one Of them discov-
red that some Of the flies the stage were on
fire The roof garden is equipped with two large
water tanks and a stand pipe and the three men
did their best put out the flames with the apph-
ances at hand but the fire soon got beyond their
control and one of them ran down to the street
and sent in an alarm from the box at Seventh
ave and Thirty -hfth-st. Engine Company NO l,
from West Twenty-ninth-st., was soon on the
scene and second alarm was sent In Acting
Chief Croker and Deputy Chief Glcquel Responded
10 the second alarm and. at the order or the Act
ing Chief third alarm was turned In
Alfred T. Aarons. general manager or the the
atre who lives three doors from the building mad
been awakened by the Waterman OF the place, and
was one OF the first persons at the hre HIS hrst
thought was Of the thirty dogs and the same num-
her Of cats which were locked In in the rear
of the stage in the main auditorium Of the theatre.
These animals belonged TO the troupe OF perform
ing dogs and cats owned by Leon Leonidas, which
has lately been one Of the nightly features OF the
music hall Mr. Aarons hurried at once to the
cage occupied by two enormous Great Danes
Just as he opened It, the two dogs leaped out. and
one OF them almost knocked the manager down in
his haste to escape.
Mr. Aarons had hardly opened the cage contain
ing the Great Danes. when Leonidas dashed into
the theatre half clad. from his room opposite the
building With cries for the safety OF his pets he
opened the other cages and In a moment the place
was filed with dogs OF all descriptions and Sizes
most OF which rushed straight for the front door
bounding over chairs and tables in their nlghl
hut the little animals were too much frightened 10
move. ,-.--
A lively scene was enacted for a few minutes
I'm the street in front OF the music hall, with the
tertainment Of the people who had been attracted
to the spot. A whistle from their master soon
brought all Of the frsky animals together, ana
they were quietly led back to their cages, when II
was certain that there was no further danger
from fire.
While all this going on the firemen were at
work on the flames on the roof The lines or nose
were dragged 10 the roof through the foyer ana
up the stairs leading to the garden. The main
auditorium and stage not touched by the
flames. and the damage done by water was eN-
having been covered with tarpauns. The damage
10 the roof garden and its fixtures Will not exceed
$500 and the loss is covered by insurance MT.
Aarons said that the sacred concert OF the evening
| would be given indoors, In the music haIl, last
night and that the roof garden would be In readi-
| ness for the usual performance this evening.