New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-07
BIG DOWNTOWN FIRE.
STREET CARS BLOCKED.
-Four Men Rescued from Printing
Establishment.

Fire destroyed last night the three upper floors
of the five story brick building Nos. 26S and 27o
Cana! street occupied by the Blanchard Press
Isaac II. Blanchard & Co. owners Chief Croker
estimated the damage at from s1250OO to $780,,
600. Part of the first floor of the building, and
the basement occupied by Philip Reinberz
manufacturer and importer of woollens. The
principle damage to the latter business was by
water.
-Four men, employees of the printing company.
were rescued from the fire escapes while the
flames poured out of the windows on the two
floors below them.
The origin of the fire is not known. Two lino-
type operators, a shipping clerk and
ployed in the packing room of the Blanchard
Press. working overtime" The fire must
have gained great headway. az the second and
third floors and part of the fourth floor were
f1reswept and burning ffercey. when auto
matte alarm rang
on his arrival Deputy Chief Kruger sent In
third alarm. which brought Chief Croker and
many engines and ladders to the scene. While
water tower worked in Canal street in front
of the building, a truck swung In between
the water tower and the building. and the
tension ladder was hoisted to the fire escapes on
the fifth floor, where four men shouting for
help. Captain Farley with three firemen. went
up the big ladder It was being put in position.
and got to the top as the ladder rested against
the iron balcony
Thousands in the street watched the work OF
the fremen at the top OF the ladder. Walter
Deans, of No, 800 West 31th street a limo
typer, nearly overcome by smoke but as
he had a wet cloth tied about his head and
face he waited until the three other men, P. A.
Selfried. of No. II Eldridge street, Brooklyn.
and Abe and Moe Levine brothers. of No. 30
East 115th street. were taken down. Seifried
is also linotyper.
The roar of the flames as they leaped from
the windows all about the firemen and the
workmen could be heard for several blocks
Chief Croker. having directed the work OF
pouring water into the building. stood in Canal
street under a ladder and shouted directions to
the fremen who manned the extension ladder
as one by one the four workers in the building
We're carried down.
Apparently the fire started on the second floor
in the bindery. and worked down and up the
elevator shafts and staircases. For time 1t
looked as though the entire building was
doomed. but after an hour had passed the fire
under control. Seven linotype machines
were included among the machinery destroyed
In the printing shop. as we'll as a dozen or more
printing presses.
The four men taken down the ladder were
treated by DR.. Bryant. of the Hudson Street
hospital All Iour men were suter1ng from the
effects Of smoke and shock. The police reserves
OF several downtown stations the scene,
with Inspector Russell and Captain Dooley. of
the Eliza beth street Station. In charge. The
cars in Broadway. Canal and Centre streets were
blocked for the greater part of two hours
Isaac H. Blanchard the senior member of the
firm, got TO the scene before the firemen had fin
ished their work. Mr. Blanchard said the June
number of Burr McIntosh's Monthly" was off
the press and ready for delivery. and the entire
issue destroyed Mr.. Blanchard placed his loss
at $4,000. estimating the loss to the property
SDI