New-York tribune., 1909-12-26
l,0O0FLEE FROM FIRE
GALE AND SNOW GITE
MEN HARD FIGHT.
Horses Perish IN Stable Blaze
Gas Tanks and Ice Plant
Threatened.

Fifty or more horses were burned 20
death and property valued at $4,000
was destroyed m a fire in the Millrock
Livery Stables. No. $50 TO 332 East ssth
street, about 80 o'clock last evening.
The gale famed the blaze for an hour
and a half before it was got under con-
troll. and. hampered by the thiekly fall
ing snow. the fremen had the hardest
fight OF the winter on their hands. The
neighboring buildings were threatened, so
that it looked for a while as though the
entire block would be destroyed
Nearly one thousand Italians who live
IN tenement houses in the rear Of the
burning building in 97th street and on
First avenue were ordered out OF their
homes by Inspector Titus. Some OF them
did not wait 10 get proper clothing and
had TO face the blizzard for nearly two
hours
Only the excellent work Of the Fire
Department saved the plant of the Con-
solidated Gas Company. across the street.
as well IS Hagerdorn Brothers Hygeia
ice plant. at No. 334 East ssth street
The danger 20 the gas plant was realized
az once, and Battalion Chief Dougherty
ordered the pressure in the tanks, where
thousands OF cubic feet OF gas was
stored, lowered and the gas turned into
the reserve tanks
Firemen Lenahan and McPhillan. OF
Engine Company S. acting on orders.
were among the first 70 enter the burn
ing building. They started up runway
which extends from the first 10 the sec
ond floor in order 70 rescue as many OF
the horses quartered on the second floor
as possible. They had hardly entered
the building when they fell TO the floor,
overcome by the dense smoke, which was
pouring down from above
FIREMEN RESCUED
Other members OF the company rushed
in and carried them out. where they were
attended by Surgeon Archer. OF the de-
partment- Several policemen from the
East 1O4th street station rescued about
fifteen horses without injury 20 them
selves The horses were led out with
their heads covered with grain sacks
The rest OF the horses which we're quar-
tered in the building perished.
-he cause OF the IRE is unknown.
George Snyder, os No 1880 Third ave
nue.. the foreman OF the stable, was sit
ting IN his Office, on the first floor. when
he saw smoke coming down the shaft Of
an elevator used for hosting carriages
Without taking time 70 investigate ne
called UP Fire Headquarters on the teie-
pEone- The alarm brought the apparatus
under Battalion CHIEF Dougherty,
Before the fremer arrived the flames
had mounted 10 the third floor. Battalion
Chief DoUgherty at once realized the
danger should the gas and ice plants
become involved and Immediately turned
in a second and a third alarm.
The second alarm brought Chief Gro
ker and more apparatus. Despite the
efforts OF the fremen. the flames spread
70 the two top stories Of the building
and burned out most Of the third floor.
The flames had got such headway be-
fore Croker arrived that II was t-npos-
sible 20 fight the blaze from the inside.
so the men were ordered TO work from
the roofs OF low sheds which abutted on
the building on both sides.
Several fremen had started TO climb
ladder on the west wall OF the building
when the wall collapsed with a crash
thar could be heard for blocks The fire.
men escaped injury. soon after 10
o'clock the root OF the building col
lapsed. carrying with " the two top
floors
TENANTS HUSTLED OUT.
Police reserves from the East 1O4th
street and the East 10th street stations
were on the scene a short time after the
fire started As soon as IL assumed dan
gerous proportions they were sent TO
the hve tenement houses in 9th street.
in the rear OF the burning building 70
warn the tenants OF the possible danger.
Most Of the families were in the midst
OF their Christmas celebration. but they
hastily gathered their possessions into
bundles and hurried into the streets. The
policemen shielded the women as much
as possible from exposure TO the chilling
winds and snow BY allowing them 70
remain in the Railways Of the buildings.
Trahic on the First and Second avenue
surface lines was tied UP for more than
an hour. In spite OF the blizzard rag
ing crowds watched the fremen at
work. The crowd for the most part was
composed OF passengers from the stalled
cars. The freboats Mcclellan ard Brodie
were commissioned 70 protect the prop
erty along the waterfront. IL necessary.
and an ambulance was in attendance
from the Harlem Hospital
The building was owned by BENJAMIN
Rock. who also conducted the stables.
The only property which was accounted
for was the fifteen horses which were
les 10 safety hy the patrolmen. The
hremen we're sl.L al work on the build
ing early this morning.
HON IN DIES 1T FIRE