Year: 1871

/ Danger OF an Extensive Condagra-
tien.


From the Daily News, Wednesday,


Yesterday at about ll:30 A. N. tie
root OF the old Mcguire warehouse, sit
uated on the railroad, below Harrison
street, was discovered to be on fire.
The alarm was sounded, and soon the
several fire apparatus were brought to
the vicinity. In the meantime men
were endeavoring to remove the flour,
shingles, boards, &c, which had been
stored on the premises. The fire at
first burned slowly, and il wafer had
been convenient the flames might have
been extinguished with few buckets
Of water; a it was, every ybody was com
pelIed to survey the burning building
while awaiting the fire engines 10 begin
work; but from some unfortunate delay,
no water was thrown very soon. and the
fire continued spreading over the roof
and down the inside OF the building,
until all Of sudden the entire structure
blazed from wall to wall, dense volumes
OF smoke and sparks flying heavenward.
Some Of the sparks were carried 10y the
strong south breeze blowing al the time
far up in the city, others lit upon and
set ire to the adjoining warehouse be
longing to w. w. McKaig, Esq } in at
least twenty places or more. Men were
on the roof oi the latter building with
buckets and sticks fighting the fire. As
last as they would put out blaze In
one spot, another would ignite, until 1t
was thought the building would surely
be destroyed.


Whilst the crowd OF people who had
gathered at the spot were lntentIy
watching the fearful scene, a cry OF
fire was heard in the direction OF
Baltimore street, and on looking that
way the root OF the ST. Nicholas Hotel
was seen 10 be on fire, and thlther rush
ed the excited people. Men speedily as
cendei TO the roof, buckets OF water
were passed up, and fortunately the fire
was extInguisned before any great dam
age had been done.


Whilst this was occurring, the root Of
Mr.. Otto Damm's house. on Baltimore
and Georges street, was on fire, and
al,o the roof OF the old guard-house
above the railroad depot, both OF which
were extinguished with pals Of
water before the fire had gained
any headway. The main fire a: the
warehouse had 10y this time somewhat
spent its fury, and the englLes had at
last begun working, and water was
thrown upon the fire, but the hose OF
the steamer bursted several times, which
caused much delay and veXatIon. For
want OF materia', the fire gradually les
sened. The steamer began 10 work
better, and hose having also been at
tached to the water plug, on the corner
o. Ann and Centre streets, the tire was
subdued, but not until the entire wood
work Of the building was consumed,
leaving nothing but the bare brick walls
standing.


The fire is supposed to have been
caused 10y spark from a passing loco
motive on the railroad. When first
seen the flame was not larger than a
mans hand, and II immediate access
could have been gained to the roof, it
could have been extIuguished at once.
But owing to the scarcity of water-the
difficulty in getting upon the root, and
then the long time-oRe-hay how-be-
tore the engines threw water upon the
fire, there was nothing valuable left OF
the old warehouse, and our city has
doubtless barely escaped terrible con
fagraton. The roofs of four build
ms, situated some distance apart, s,Il
being on fire at the same moment, with
"a high wind blowing the sparks broad.
cast, and water very scarce, was plac-
ing the property of our city in most
perious situation indeed.