New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-18
FIRE ON 81" FOR A BLOCK
TRAIN H4LTED IN FLAMES.
Passengers, in Panic Rush, Jump
Through WindO1pS at Station.

On the lower East Side, where the Second-ave
branch of the elevated road runs through Allen
st. below Houston. almost grazing tenement
houses. the structure afr, for n block
last night. n fuse blowing out in one of the
new copper sheathed cars. simila- to those 10
be run in the subway. The lights were
out the car was filled with smoke and the pas
sengers were in a panic. Some broke windows
to get out and the rush 10 leave the car at
the Rivington-st station resulted in injury 10
three persons. including mother with baby
IL was T:3O when the ive-Car train left the
Frrst-st. station at First-ave and ran into
Allen-st. The cars have sliding doors at the
ends instead OF gates. a fuse blew out Of the
end Of the second OF the train. an explosion
accompanying H. and fire followed immedi-
ately Streaks OF fire shot up from under the
car. dense smoke filed It. and the lights going
out the passengers became panicstricken.
rush was made FOR the doors. The conduc-
tor. or some ore ?. 7ha eDs oe ,be eaC - yfi"A
the fuse was blown oct. fhie@ open the doors
there but a large inan stood In the doorway and
throwing his arms across Il prevented the pas
sengers from getting out
The lnotorman OF the train increased its speed,
quickly bringing It TO the Rivington-st sta
tion. Women were screaming and men shouting.
while some smashed windows 10 get out. George
Heaney and his wife were against the door or
the second car. Mrs. Heanev holding her baby.
Her husband braced himsel: 20 keep the crowd
back of him from crushing his wife and child.
and when the doors were slid open Mrs. Heaney
fell out OF the train on the platform in a faint.
The senseIess crowd. still in panic. tried 10 get
out all at once. and nearly trampled on her.
Heaney and a big near him managed 10
hold the first Of the crowd in check until the
unconscious woman could be dragged out Of the
way Men who had broken windows tumbled
out of them TO the platform. others afraid to
wait to go out by the doors following.
The explosion from the fuse set fire to the
rubbish rags. paper and clothing which had
been thrown on the structure by the tenement
house dwelers. and from Houston-st. to Stan
ton-st. the structure afre, the ties being
scorched and continuous blaze flaring up.
which caused an alarm Of fire to be sent In.
The flames licked the sides Of the cars and could
he seen out of the windows. Bits of burning
paper and rags fell into the street. while a
dense smoke arose. attracting big crowd.
Every window along the line was filled with
people
Three engines and hose company were hur-
ried to the scene. Ladders were run w along
side the structure Battalion Chief LarlNin or
dered the third rail power shut of. hose was
carried UP or the structure. and i'm n little while
the fire out.
The train following the disabled ran
through the fire while II at its height the
flames licking the sides Of the cars. Just at
that time the power was shut off, and the train
came to a stop right over the flames. They did
no damage to the train, the firemen keeping
streams Of water playing on the cars until the
fire was drowned out.
Mrs. Heaney taken 20 drug store. and
was soon able to go to her home with her hus
band and child. Two men who were cut and
I,rrised in climbing through broken window
were also attended by surgeon in the drug
store. The elevated structure only slightly
damaged by the fire. Trains stopped for
half an hour.