New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-03
SCARE AT DELMONIC0'S
FIRE IN THE BASEMENT.
Al Lights Go Out and Guests Flee
an Confusion.

Delmonico's restaurant, at Forty fourth-st
and Fifth-ave., was threatened by fire shortly
before midnight last night. The news spread
fast and excited great interest. The fire was
slight. and caused by defective insulation
of electric light wire in the basement. The
police placed the damages at $500 although
persons in the restaurant said there was no
damage.
Confusion and excitement nearly approaching
a panic reigned in the corridors and dining
rooms when the alarm was given. and faint
odor of burning wood diffused itself through the
building. There were one hundred and fifty
men and women in the large dining room, on the
first floor and in the cafe were many men. The
guests started to their feet when the alarming
sounds reached their ears, for some one had
cried "Fire" and all started for the doors.
Many of them did not go through the formaty
of getting their hats coats, wraps On the
top floor OF the building are the quarters of
about thirty of the female employees, and all of
these, when alarmed by elevator boys rushed
down the stairs crowded into the elevators.
While the confusion was at its height every
light in the house went out for the trouble below
was in the engine room. The lack of light more
than ever frightened guests and employees
Meanwhile the commotion had been observed
from the street and an alarm of fire was turned
in from the Lorraine Hotel at Forty-ffth-st
Truck No. the first of the Fire Depart
ment to respond to the call. As it dashed into
the avenue at Forty -fourth-st. it came near
running across procession of men and women
in evening dress, who had emerged from Del
monico's and were running to Sherry's. across
the way. The fremen sIung chemical fire ex-
tinguishers over their shoulders ran in, and
traced the fire to the engine ROOM in the base
ment There they found the woodwork Of the
room in blaze, and in a few moments they had
the flames under control
Meanwhile Fifth-ave rang with the bells of
fire engines and the sidewalks were lined by
guests from Sherry's When all of the engines
went away some of the guests ventured back
to the dining rooms I'm search of their garments
left behind in the hurry. Others sent mes
sengers, not caring to return. Those who re-
turned were unable TO find their way about on
account of the darkness. and soon all the wait
erS were SCurrying about to find candles. In
the ornamental CandlestickS the tables of the
dining room We're stuck good sized tallow tips
while small lamps were placed about the rooms
BY the light of these the guests who had re-
turned sat down and finished their dinners
The diners were watched from the outside by
a large crowd. attracted by the makeshifr iu-
mination. After the last of the returned diners
had departed, the house was locked up by the
manager and one admitted The only
sign of life about the place a waiter now
and then moving about the dimly lighted rooms
with candle in his hand.
According to the police the fire had been burn
ing from ten to twenty minutes before the alarm
was given. The lights were eXtinguished by the
flame in the engine room reaching and melting
the wires connected with the lighting plant.