New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-12
CROKER AT A BIG FIRE.
1T THRE4TENS Il BLOCK.
Spectacular Blaze in StOCe Com pdny
Building Near Waterfront.

FIRE Chief Croker last evening took command
OF his first big fire since his reinstatement.
when the block bounded by Water Dover and
Pearl SITS. and Peck Slip was threatened by
spectacular fire. that started in the factory OF
the Bramhall-Deane Company, manufacturers
Of cook stoves and cooking utensils al Nos. 252
2e4 and 266 Water-st Four alarms we're sent
in bringing nearly as large a fire fighting force
as was present when all the Baltimore fremen
had been called out The f1remen fought
pluckiiy and confined TO the building in which
II started a blaze that could be seen for miles
Inc upper floors Of this building were de-
stroyed The searOhlight engine which has
been in retirement since Chief Cookers dis
nissal. greatly aided the flremen.
No. 262 Water-st is a four story building
and Nos 264 and 266 are six story buildings
AT No. 26s Water-st. is q three story building
occupied by Otto Ham & Co. as chemical
works The Bramhall-Deane Company build
ing extends back to within few feet OF the
rear wall Of the Jackman building. at Nos. 500
to 324 Pearl-st
Inc fire started on the fourth floor rear. Of the
main building, Of the BramhaIl-Deane Co. Its
cause is not known II was discovered by work
men,
Battalion Chief Howe, Of the First Battalion.
who commanded the New-York fire fighters at
baltimore was in charge at first. He turned in
0ON'441 SIiu Iliro alarms, Croker responding to
the second
Nhen Croker arrived the fifth and sixth floors
OF the Bramhall- Deane Co building we're
apIaze IN front, and in the rear the fourth fifth
ana sixth noors had caught and the fire had
eaten us way through the roof No go Water
81 hao caught in the rear. and the roof Of No.
<oo at the rear. The flames were reaching cut
enq tapping the rear Of the Jackman building
Chiet croker found that the fremen working
CIoSe 10 the fire were fighting a desperate battle
4hey knew that il the fire reached the chemical
Morks IL meant possible loss Of life and proba-
niy great loss Of property Chief Croker turned
IN Ihe tourth alarm, and then, putting on his
Mnlte helmet, started to work. So desperately
old the hremen work that within half an hour
after II started the fire was we'll in hand
one hundred and twenty-five men, under Cap
tain Lantry, finally came 70 control the crowd
Inc blaze could be distinctly seen from the
brldge. The bridge police saw hundreds Of peo-
PIE making for the promenade and orders were
quickly issued that II should be closed. This
was done Tor an hour II was feared that an
accident might result from too great n crush.
There were many tenement houses in the
dock, and the tenants all forced to leave
them. Many carried out vauables The big
Warehouse Of Baker & Williams, near the Bran
haH-Deane Building. was for time threatened
When Chief Croker ready TO talk he said
the IRE had been a most threatening He
praised the work Of his men. He thought the
damage would he between $4,000 and $4,000
Croker hit on the idea last night Of using CAL
cium lights that he got from the Hart-Von Ark
esta blishment. He noticed them while passing
through the building. and the firm consented 10
his using them. The lights were trained on the
rear or the burning building