New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-11

Wrapped In a mass Of flames. towering above
the East River and the waterfront. the Man
haitian tower of the New East River Bridge
pointed like fiery finger into the heavens last
night. Three hundred and fifty feet below. the
fire fighters were vainly endeavoring 10 make
the water reach the top Of the burning struct-
ure
In the river. freboats puffed and whstled,
throwing great columns OF water the flames.
Millions of feet Of timber. beams and planking
used in the construction work; toolhouses. with
cans Of oil. were burning hercely. while across
the river stretched line of iame-the tempo
rary footbridge.
Planks and burning beams. blazing hercely.
fell splashing into the river. Men working in
the Manhattan tower. crossing toward Brook
lyn, TO escape the blaze were met by flames
which had started from sparks carried by the
wind. Whole sections of the woodwork de-
tached themselves, and. plunging into the river,
hssed themselves 10 death.
Rumor said that three workmen were car
ried down with one section of the footbridge,
but this could not be verified.
Battalion Chief Guerin, climbing the bare
steel framework to the top of the tower with
Kingsley L. Martin. chief construction engineer,
and an axeman, was forced to carry water in
his hat TO fight the flames encroaching on the
stairway by which they had reached the top.
Some of the wires composing them will be re-
moved and spIiced. All the ornamental iron
work and the temporary cables were destroyed.
The completion OF the bridge will probably be
delayed six months.
Spectacular beyond description the fire.
and iremen who worked through it declare
that il was dangerous 10 appalling degree.
yet so far the police were able 20 ascertain at
II o'clock last night only ore man was injured,
ted IN he's
into the river from the top of the tower Late
last night this report had not been verified. the
police and the members Of the Volunteer Life
Saving Corps having been unable to find any
substantial evidence Of anybody falling. Some
boys said they saw three men fall. foreman said
he had been told by some workmen that three
Of his men had fallen into the river. beyond
that there was nc veri1cation Of the report.
EAST RIVER TRAFFIC STOPPED.
All traffic up and down the East River
stopped. ferryboats lay in their slips not daring
10 60 out. and there were numerous small col
lisions in the river between small tug boats and
the big Sound steamers lying about waiting for
a chance to get under the bridge and proceed on
their way
The FIRE started about 40 O'Clock in the after
noon. At the time there We're number or
worHraen on the top of the tower II is supposed
that these men all got safely out Of danger oy
crossing on the footbridges TO the Brooklyn side
of the bridge before the footpath fell in. That
they did is not known for certain. and probably
viii not be until some time to-day.
The blaze began in tool shed and store
house on the very top of the south side OF the
1over In II were four or FIVE small forges used
for heating rivets on the bridge structure. IL
IS thought one Of these forges set fire 10 the
woodwork Of the shed and Of huge frame
work surrounding the pinnacle Of the tower TOT
the shelter and safety Of the men employed
there. In the storehouse were number OF
small casks OF oil, lunches Of cotton waste ana
tar. with other stuff Of a highly infammable
nature
The fire was first seen by Peter Dinnon' a
clerk ernploved by the H Herman Lumber
Company. with an Office at Tompdns and De-
lancey-st He was sitting outside his Office
when he says he saw two small lights up on the
top Of the tower. He at first paid no attention
10 these small lights. believing them to be the
regular lights put out in the evening as ne
termed them. mariners lights" Nevertheless
he thought he saw the lights waver and Kicker
lie watched them for a time and then thought
he saw them spread Twenty minutes after
he had first noticed the lights. or about
o'clock. he saw the lights suddenly flare up and
spread with great rapidity- Then he knew
something was wrong other people had been
watching the lights as well. and when they
fared up an alarm OF fire was sent in from the
box at Tompkns and Delaney sts.' ten feet
away.
OIL IN STOREHOUSE EXPLODED.
1t is believed that the sudden haring up Of
the lights was caused by explosion Of the
oils kept in the storehouse on the tower top.
and that it scattered the grease all over the
framework When the firemen reached the
scene they saw fierce blaze burning. 355 feet
in the air There was no feasible way of get
ting al H. A second alarm was sent in at once.
and Fire Chief Croker answered the call with
Battalion Chiefs O'Iiearn and Guerin.
The men Of Engine Company ii and Of
Trucks IS and g. under Chief Guerin and
Captain John Howe, who has a medal for
bravery. received at the Windsor Hotel fire.
started to stretch line OF hose 10 the top of the
tower. Up along the north side of the steel
structure of the tower a wooden stairway
or ladder. Up this ladder the men went carry
lng lines OF hose. II took over seven hundred
ieet 10 make the extensions. Chief Guerin and
Captain Howe with Lieutenant Buckholtz and
Flremen Mccormick and Oppe. were ahead ana
went on 20 the very top OF the tower with
nozzle. To force water 20 that great height
the hremen were forced 20 make what they term
siaHnese connection: that is. Engines IL
snd - were fastened 20 the same hydrant ana
Ae4eeG the water. Engine III ran uhuef q