New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-11
FIRE ALARMS 18th ST.
Destroys Furniture House, ScNes
Theatre CrOzcd and Empties Hotel.

Fire last night practically destroyed the big
six story building in Sixth avenue running
through from 18th street 10 14th street occupied
by Sheppard Knapp & Co., the furniture dealers,
emptied hotel and nearly caused a theatre
panic. Damage amounting TO probably $3.50 900
was done, and all traffic was tied up in Sixth
avenue and in 14th street. Besides this those
living in the four private houses adjacent TO the
fire in 18th street were ordered to be ready to
leave them by the police, and Acting Inspector
OConnor took a long time TO recognize the
validity of the fire line badges issued by the Fire
Department After he had thrown the reporters
out Of the fire lines he excused his act later by
explaining that he short sighted. Just be-
fore then he had told them that he did not give
damn for the badges permitting them TO enter
the lines.
1t was learned that the lights In the store of
August Schmidt. No. 1875 Sixth avenue next to
Sheppard Knapp & Co, went out the fire
alarm was sent in. A force from the New York
Edison Company went TO work and the foreman
said the fire must have been due to an explo-
sion in the electric lighting plant of Sheppard
Knapp & Co. A fuse probably blew out he said.
The burned building from Sixth avenue
back 10 No. 109 West 18th street and north TO
No. 191 Sixth avenue The 18th street structure
a recently built annex seven stories in
height and ran through the entire block 10 14th
street At 14th street and Sixth avenue is Nc
Keever's saloon and hotel, and TO the south Of
that jewelry store kept by man named Lin
herr.
The fire started in the 18th street basement,
and in ten minutes the entire structure was in
flames. A private Waterman turned in an
alarm, which brought Chief Croker. who at
sent in three other alarms in quick
cession. Firemen swarmed upon the elevated
station and tracks, attacking the fire from those
vantage points. while others carried their pipes
into the burning building or else fought It from
the surrounding roofs
The firemen had great difficulty in getting TO
the building and finding good stands for the en-
gines because of the McAdoO tunnel work in
Sixth avenue. The street in front of the store
is up and boarded over with heavy plank
ing There was little space for the drivers of
the engines TO manoeuVre between the elevated
structure and the burning building.
When the power shut off the elevated
a southbound train had just left the 14th street
station and got stuck at 18th street. For some
until the guards permitted them 10 leave the
train and walk back TO the station. With the
exception of some Of the women, they all pre-
ferred this rather than remain in The train OPP
posite the blazing building.
The Fourteenth Street Theatre is exactly op-
posite the 14th street entrance TO the store. and
the smoke driven across the street began to
billow through the house. The audience got
FESTIVE, and the manager rushed his usherS 10
man the fire exits His prompt action and his
assurance that there danger nipped the
incipient panic in the bud.
At midnight the fire threatening the fur
niture store of CowperthWait & Co. Immediate
ly adjacent TO Sheppard Knapp & Co, at Nos.
Jog and los West 14fh street. Water was poured
into the building, doing considerable damage,
while the employees were summoned to protect
the stock and get ready 20 rush IL out if the
fire spread.
In k}th street are several private houses next
the annex. The tenants there were awaken ed
by the police and ordered be ready TO move
at once if the fire spread. Two or three houses
on the opposite side We're also warned. The
smoke rolled into McKeever's hotel, at 18th
street and Sixth avenue, where about every
was filled. The guests. in considerable
disarray, FASTENED 10 the street. where they
finished their toilets. They had been in no real
danger however.
Three months ago a fire of unknown origin
started in the old building facing In 18th street
which destroyed last night. The fire then
caused a loss of 100.