The New York herald., 1922-03-22
Thousands Around Historic
Churchyard See 100000
Blaze in Vestry House.
EXPLOSION WITH SMOKE
Graves Trampled Until Police
Rout Crowds-Third of
Building Spared.

The vestry and parish house of old
St. Pauls Chapel. at Vesey and Church
streets. was almost destroyed by fire
which followed an explosion at $50
yesterday evening and spread with
great swiftness through the building.
The damage was estimated at 100000.
The spectacular blaze was witnessed
by thousands oe business people leav-
ing their offices. Many forced their
way through the gates of st. Paurs
churchyard. trampling the earth and
in some instances dislodging tomb
stones before the police reserves drove
them back to lines established along
Broadway.
The firemen fought the blaze from
the churchyard and from the elevated
tracks along Church street. Street car
traffic in lower Broadway and elevated
traffic along the Sixth avenue line we're
stopped for more than an hour.
wind Drives Flames.
strong northwest wind drove a
pail of smoke over lower Broadway.
causing dense crowds to collect in the
ueighborhood Three alarms were turned
IN. Fire Chief John keillon arriving
IN the second alarm. Although the
ire spread rapidly every one In the
building escaped to the street without
injury.
The south wing OF the building. which
is occupied by the offices of the Trinity
Corporation. was undamaged. being sep
arated from the rest by heavy brick
wall. Some anxiety was felt at first
for the safety of the valuable Trinity
Parish records. and many of these we're
removed as precautionary measure.
but the fire was confined TO the north
wing and center Of the building.
Spontaneous combustion was the cause
of the explosion, said the Fire Marshal.
Thomas p. Brophy. who found that
paint, oil and shellac had been stored in
a closet in the guild hall. part Of which
was used as a woman's lunchroom.
Miss NJ. A. Lyon. manager OF the lunch
room. saw the flames, ran downstairs
and directed passersby 10 turn in an
alarm.
It was thought at first that the blaze
might have been incendiary as there
was fire in the same building less than
two weeks ago.
Mrs. Ethel Armstrong was nearly over
come by smoke in offices on the fourth
floor and was led TO the street by Pa
trolman Richard Zeeler and Sergeant
Edward O'Brien of the Beach street
station.
The Rev. George b. Cox. curate OF
St Paurs had Just left the building
and had reached Broadway and Nesey
street. when he noticed people turning
to look In the direction or the vestry
house. NGlancing backward he said he
saw a puff of smoke from the third
floor window. followed by a binding
flash. Then the entire structure seeme1
wrapped in flames.
Part of Historic Surroundings.
The building was erected thirty-five
years ago and forms an important ad.
junct to the historic edifice Of St Paul's
Among those who had living quarters
in the south wing. which was unharmed.
were the Rev. S. Taggart steele, Jr..
the Rev. Frederick w. Goodman and the
Rev. William Il. Kinkaid. all Of trinity
Church. DR.. j. p. McComas, vicar OF
St Paul's. maintained an office End IL
brary also In this section. The Amer
ican Guild of Organists also occupied
portion OF the main building.
The firemen made quick work II the
blaze and within an hour OF the first
burst OF flame were ready TO return