New-York tribune., 1909-07-04
FIRE STOPS BREAD LINE
FLAMES DESTROY FAMOUS
FLETSCHMANN BAKERY.
Broaduay Blaze Does $500, 900 Dam
age and Shoes Tolue of High
Pressure Fdter System.

The value Of the high pressure water system
was again demonstrated late yesterday after
noon at a fire which did $500 600 damage in the
five story building at the northwest corner Of
Broadway and 18th street IN spite of the high
wind that was blowing. the flames were confined
to the building. the greater part Of the damage
being done by water. which was poured into the
place until all the nearby streets were flooded
OF the damage 2 large part will be sustained
by Fleischmann's restaurant and bakery, which
occupied the ground floor of the building, and
rathskeller in the basement The patrons or the
ST Denis Albert and Bradford hotels all within
a short distance of the burning building, were
greatly excited by the fire. many Of them pack
ing their belongings preparatory 70 leaVlhs Il
the fire got beyond control
In the crowds watching the fire, but held back
by the police. were many long faces. and some
of the spectators had tears in their eyes 10
many of them it meant that for some time there
would be no more bread line. which has oeen
one of the charities carried by the Flelsch-
mann mana cement for years There was no
bread for the unfortunate last night, but It was
said that one Of the first things that the bakery
would do vas 70 give out bread again to the de
serving.
II was shortly before o'clock when an auto
matte alarm on the third floor Of the building
they arrived they found the flames leaping from
the windows Of the third floor and also working
their way up through the two upper floors
which, with the third floor, we're occupied ny
c. T. Bates dealer in cloaks and suits
Chief Croker arrived on the first alarm AMI
seeing there was going to be trouble sent IN two
more alarms in quick order. The third. fourth
and fifth floors v@re eblaze by this time. and
the high pressure apparatus began drowning the
fire out. Millions = gallons Of water were
poured into the building, flooding the second
floor. occupied by Gustave Lurie & Co. makers
OF chudreus dresses. Fleischmann's which oo-
cupied the Broadway side Of the building. and
the fur concern Of the John Ruszits Company
which had the 11th street side.
When the fire broke out there was large
crowd on Broadway and they hocked to the
scene Inspector John DAILY and the reserves OF
FIVE precincts were soon on the spot and kept
the crowds az a safe distance From 14th street
70 tbs Battery the Broadway cars were tied mp
until the fire was got under control. about 80
o'clock
when the fire started several hundred patrons
we're registered az the Hotel St Denis, on the
opposite corner and about nifty Of them were IN
the dining room. which faced the flames. There
v-ns SONS hastye es.ing the paF, OF many. "no
rushed to their rooms 20 pack their effects The
management OF the hotel assured them all that
they we're in New York where there was good
fire DEPARTMENT and that there vas no need
f,r alarm Porters and bellboys were sent 20
the roof OF the hotel with pals Of water. and
when the frenen settled down 70 work some OF
them fought the fre from that place OF vantage
Directly in the rear of the burning building
which extends about half way through the
block to University Place. IS the Hotel Brad
ford Smoke from the fire filed this hotel ana
the guests all left in = hurry. Hose was run up
througb the hotel 10 the roof and when tie fire
was over the Bradford looked as though
,vc,ona had struck IL The Albert at Univer-
s,tv, place and 11th street. was further away
from the FIRE. but many OF the rooms we're nileu
with smoke
ON the corner 81 the burned building vas
bues cIock bearing the advertisement Of one OF
the occupants OF the building. Despite the tacl
that the flames ragged around II, the CLOCK sun
remained hanging on the side o. the ou'-oIHs
and was stiu ticking merrily when everything
was all over Across the way rom 'Ile nI7 =
Grace Church and the rectory, and hundreds
watched the fire from the rectory GROUNDS
Several lines Of high pressure hose burst ou9
fnr the fire throwing several men down Dut no
oro ,.ae seriously Injured. one Holmes Protec-
tive Agency patrolman Was standlhg asttlu7 %
bosa uhen It burst with a roar. The force OF
the water threw him in the air several teet. ne
landed in a puddle of water, and was noundsI
ing around. when several policemen Went 70 MS
rescue a.,
After everything was over Chler croker sdiu
.,at 900 would cover the damage A mem
ber Of the John Ruszits Company sara tha' us
loss would be about S1Oo0e.