The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-11
FIRE RACES 335
 FEET IN THE AIR
Spectacular Blaze in New York
 Causes $5OO.0OO Loss
RIVER TRAFFIC STOPPED
Flames First Discovered in Top of Steel Tower of the New East River Bridge, In Process of construc-
 tion-one Steamer Injured.

New York. November 10.-The new East River bridge, in process of construction, between New York and Brooklyn, was damaged to the amount of at least s5OO,- GOO tonight by a fire that for four hours ragged 335 feet fin the ar on the summit of the great steel tower on the New York side Three men who were at work on the top of the tower when the fire broke out are reported to have fallen into the river.
 Owing to the height of the tower, it was impossible to reach the flames and the fire, after devouring all the wood work oh the top of the tower, seized on the false timber work of the bridge, sus- pending the main cables, burning away the supports until near million feet of blazing lumber fell with mighty splash and hiss into the stream. The fall of the foot bridge carried away scores of the lighter cables and guys which trailed in the water, rendering it necessary for the police to stop all traffic up and down the river.
 The Fall River steamer Puritan and several other crafts had narrow escapes, while running the gauntlet of fiery brands that fell in showers from the burning bridge. The fire was the most spectaeu- lar conlagration that has ever been seen in New York.
 The fire started from a tool shed and from here spread to the great timber frame work. Within five minutes after the discovery of the fire, the whole top of the tower was in blaze. Then the foot bridges fell carrying with them many tons of bolts, rivets, nuts and tools. At this moment the Brooklyn fire boat was just below the bridge and a heavy steel beam fell on her. breaking her rudder and sending her drifting helplessly down the stream.
 Sound steamers and all other up river navigation was stopped.
 Nobody Killed.
 It Is officially announced that no lives were lost during the fire, those reported having been killed, being accounted for
 Daniel Drophy and his brother John, of Montreal A. P. Mcbride and another man were at work on the tower when the fire started. While they were helping the fremen to haul up the house the frame work on which, they stood collapsed and the men were hurled into the river Mcbride saved himself by catching a piece of projecting steel work. While the fire was at it's height party of firemen were cut off at the base of the tower where they were exposed to a torrent of brands and redhot pieces of steel. They were rescued after several had been severely burned. Brands from the tower set fire to the big store house of the Pennsylvania Steel company on the bridge. It was entirely consumed and the contents were hurled into the river to- gether with two hoisting elevators on the platform. It was II o'clock before the flames had devoured everything every combustible, leaving only the steel tower and the four great steel cables stretch ing across the river. These cables were recently completed, save for the steel heathing. and it is feared that they have been badly damaged by the heat. Should it be necessary to replace the labor of two years would be lost.
 Three Were Red-Hot.
 Chief Engineer Martin. in charge of the bridge construction. said tonight that of the four steel saddles, weight thirty four tons each, the top of the tower, three were red hot, but were undamaged. Of the four cables resting on the saddles. two he found would have to be partly re- placed by splicing. This will involve a delay of at least four months. The small CT cables suffered little. The loss on the foot bridge is estimated at s100,00O. The contractors are John A. Roebling Sons & Go.
 The bridge extends from the foot of Delancey street, Manhattan to the foot of South Fifth street, Brooklyn. It was de- signed to carry four surface railroad tracks two tracks for elevated trains, two roadways for vehicles, two foot paths and two cycle paths at an elevation of 1S5 feet above the river in the center of the main span. The main cable had recently been completed and the work of laying the main span was soon to have been begun. The cost of the bridge was placed at about $10000,000