New-York tribune., 1909-09-02
BIG FIRE In THE BRONX
MAY CRIPPLE TROLLEYS
FOR WHOLE DAY.
Repair Shops of Union Raii5cay
Company. an Boston Road,
Bmns-LOSs. ST50.O

Fire in the repair shop OF the Union Railway
COMPANY at Boston Road and l75th street. TIE
Bronx caused a loss Of S1-o00o last night. No;
a wheel was turned on any surface line north
az 14ath street and east Of Webster avenue after
II o'clock. Feed wires running from sub
station IN the rear of the burned building
through conduit under the repair shop were
rendered useless when the insulation was
burned from them where they leave the conduit
and are carried TO poles Boston Road Presi-
dent NIaher Of the railway company said that
II the wires in the conduit had been damaged
not a car would be moved all day to-day.
An explosion I'm the paint room of the repair
shop 1T 10 s. O'Clock marked the beginning 81
The fire. Before engines responding to the first
alarm had reached the scene The entire building
was in flames. a second alarm was turned in at
once and then a third Chief croker left his
headquarters. in Great Jones street. when Tho
fourth alarm was sent I'm. and was directing the
work of his men sixteen minutes later
The fremon were assisted 10y conductors, mo-
tornoen and cmploves of the compauy's car narn.
which is on the other side of Boston Road. "a
short distance further out. They got out hand
hose wagon and went 10 work with axes before
the. arrival OF the first engine. Ambulances from
T-ordham Hospital brought surgeons 10 tho scene
ready TO attend auy fire fighters who might h'
injured but their services were not needed
The fire was the most spectacular blaze The
CITY has seen in "A long time. The flames were
plainly visible from Harlem and crowds Hooked
10 the scene. requiring the reserves Of four sta
fious lnder the command of Inspector Flood. 10
keen order Trains on the subway. which at tins
ronr runs ON an elevated structure. were stalled
l,v reason of the intense heat For some dis
tapce along the structure the ties were scorch"d
and il required the services Of several men t.
prevent the flames from eating up all tho wood
work ~ the structure. Several trees on ih'
Trask estate. across the street from the burning
building were ienited by the shooting tongues
Of fire Members of a gypsy CAMP almost
directly across the way. were driven from th'lr
fimsy homes.
The entire roof Of the repair shop. triangular
building running back 100 feet i'm 10th street
and having frontage of 175 feet on i'ost"n
Road. was completely destroyed. The walls in
many nlaces shou-ed signs OF weakening. Eighty
car. we're burned and nuch valuable material
used in repairing them IFS gone. President Maher
estimated the loss At S.}50Oho He said that
he would have every available electrician at
work before morning putting the feed wires
hack into condition 10 carry power 10 the lines
which serve the Mount Vernon. WestChester.
West Farms and Wakefield patrons of the road.
So far as he could tell last night. President
Maher said that the lines would resume their
schedules this morning unless it was found that
tie conduit which carries the wires under the
repair building had been damaged by the in
tense heat of the fire. IN that case. said Mr..
Ms her. the whose eastern section Of The Bronx
would be without surface car service all day.
Th building which was destroyed was built
several years ago TO replace an OLD frame car
barn which had been destroyed by fire.