New-York tribune., 1904-10-07
BROOKLYN FIRE SCARE.
STEAM YACHTS INDANGER
Much Coal Burns Croker Speeds in
4uto"-HeId Up at Bridge.

A four alarm fire that broke out at O'Clock
last evening the pier at Twenty -ffth-st. in
South Brooklyn, destroyed thirty thousand tons
of coal stored there and threatened to spread
70 the yachts of several well known men, which
were anchored in the basin there. 1t took
hard fight 70 keep the flames from spreading
TO the block west Of Third-ave.. between
Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth SITS, where the
hremen said they would have quickly gone be-
yond control in the frame houses OF the italian
quarter.
The cause OF the fire is unknown though
there are hints at incendiarism. 1t started in
the plant Of the Empire Brick and Cement Com
pany near the end OF the pier. Before the fire.
men could make any headway against it, II had
spread TO the large coal sheds Of the c. A VIII
lard estate and in two hours had cleared the
pier. The coal belonged to Wyant B. Wardeu.
and with the building was uninsured. The loss
to the coal plant alone estimated at more
than 100000
Among the yachts lying IN Tebo's yacht
basin. Oh the Twenty sixth st. side Of the pier.
were ". b. Leedss Nona. ". X Vanderbilt,
jr.'s Tarantula. Charles r. Finite Arrow and
Anthony J. DrexeIs Sultana. Besides these
there were several naphtha and gasolene
launches and fre among them would have
meant serious explosions The wind blowing
from the northwest carried the flames and en-
bers toward the yachts, and it was difficult to
keep them from catching fire
Besides the yachts there were several coal
lighters, filled with 1900 tons of coal, which
had arrived yesterday for Mr.. Wardell. These
took fire and We're destroyed. Six Lehigh Valley
barges also were burned, with pile driver be-
longing TO a contractor
The only narrow escape from death was that
of Mrs. Emma c. Barlen Of No. 74A Fourth
ave. who watching the fire from the pier
at Twenty-sixth-st. When the flames began
to work near the pier Mrs. Barlen became ex-
cited and jumped i'm the water. Her husband
Immediately jumped TO her rescue and got her
out unconscious. She was revived with diff
Guilty.
Nineteen horses IN stables of the f. Campbell
& Co fertilizer plant next to the coal shed,
were turned loose. They stampeded. rushing in
every direction up and down the avenue. Sew
eral persons we're knocked down by them. but
one was injured seriously. They were all caught
at length. Several cars of the Brooklyn Ter
minal Company on the pier at Twenty-slxth-st.
were endangered. and taken away in time to
prevent their catching fire.
Chief Croker and Deputy Fire Commissioner
Doyle arrived on the scene early Chief Croker
Immediately directed the attention OF the fire.
men to the hay barn Of the Terminal company
in the block between Twenty-fifth and Twenty
sixth sts. The embers and sparks were playing
dangerously near II, and the chief declared that
If the flames once started among the rookeries
Ia that section the entire block would be burned.
The main efforts Of the iremen were devoted to
saving this building.
About 10 o'clock the fire was under control.
The firebOats Seth Low and David A Boody
were on hand toward the end of the fire. 1t re-
ouired more than an hour for them TO reach the
spot and several residents of that section used
the incident to emphasize their contention that
q freboat should be stationed off that shore.
chief Croker went TO the fire in his automo-
bie While crossing the bridge he seen to
ne exceeding the speed limit. and policeman
at this end sent word TO close the gate at the
BrookIyn END. That was done. and IL was some
minutes before the chief could convince the Of
iicer at the gate who he was and get permission
20 on