GREAT FIRE IN NEW YORK.

Evening Star, Issue 4105, 24 April 1876, Page 3

GREAT FIRE IN NEW YORK.

While the streets were filled last (says the ‘ New York Tribune ’ of February 9) with the crowds of people going home from theft daily occupations, the sky over the centre of the business portion of the city, almost with the suddenness of an explosion, was illuminated with the lurid glare of a great fire, which was reflected in a ruddy gleam from every window and prominent object within a long distance. “What can it be?” was the question on everybody’s lips, and even the firemen were surprised. The alarms called the latter to the building covering Nos. 444 and 446 Broadway, which is nearly in the middle of the block between Howard and Grand streets, and extending through to Crosby street. It would seem probable that in a building so fully occupied, in so prominent a portion of the city, fire could make no great headway within a few moments after the closing of the shutters of the stores, yet the members of Hook and Ladder Company No. 8, who were first upon the ground, declare that the flames were bursting out of every window when they reached the spot, and it was evident that na efforts could save the structure from destruction. A second and third alarm followed the first in rapid succession, and called all the engines of the district, which were put to work at every hydrant in the vicinity, until that whole section of the city resounded with their hoarse labors. Then special orders were sent out, and every piece of apparatus in the city that could be spared was brought £ to the spot, until half the fire department were on duty. After the sinking of the roof and floors of the building in which the fire originated, the iron front still stood upright for a moment, arch on arch to the cornice, which burned with a blue flame, easily seen through the red of the main ruin. It was seen to totter, however, and the firemen drew away from before it, and took away as much of their hose as possible. They had barely done so, and all had hot yet got away, when the whole fell with a tremendous crash into Broadway, breaking the iron columns into fragments. Several firemen were observed fleeing from under the wall as it came down, and a universal cry of horror went up as some of them were seen to fall, and all were hidden in the cloud of dust and smoke which instantly arose. Quick feet bore willing hands through ruins to their help, and a great sigh of relief was audible as all were seen to emerge alive from the tumult. Two men, however, were hurt, but not seriously. The flames spread through the entire building at Nos. 448 and 450 with such rapidity that some of the hose could not be got out of the building. The covers of the insurance patrol were also consumed, and the firemen had to fly for their lives. The front of this structure was of iron, and the huge columns were bent and warped with the intense heat, but still stood firm. About halfpast eight o’clock a portion of the party wall between the Continental Hotel and the building above fell in, throwing much of the debris upon the sidewalk. The cry went forth that several firemen were buried in the ruins. People flocked to the place, and almost, os soon as the wall had fallen, began to dig in the ruins to rescue the firemen, Ernest Egler, of the Hoboken Fire Department, was near as the wall fell, and barely escaped being buried. He saw a hand extended from beneath a pile of bricks, and immediately sprang forward, grasped the hand, and began to throw the bricks and mortar from the man’s body. It was only a few moments before the first matt was taken out. Several firemen sprang forward, and tenderly carried their comrade to the opposite side of Broadway, where he was laid on the side walk. He was insensible, his face so covered with blood and dirt that he was hardly recognisable. After unsuccessfully trying to administer some stimulants, he was removed to a saloon, where a doctor, who happened to be on the spot, attended to him. He soon regained consciousness, In the meantime, the officers and firemen were busy digging out others who were buried, who were brought into the saloon, one by one, as they were extricated. The groaning of the wounded and and the ghastly spectacle of the blood-begnmed men as they were laid side by side made the scene a painful one. The second man extricated was Thomas Cortiasos, a fireman. He also was insensible when taken oat, After the lapse of some time he also regained consciousness. The next man brought in was Lindsey Williamson. It took the doctor only a moment to discover that he was dead. While the firemen were expressing their sorrow and fears for the future of his poor wife and children, another man was brought ia and laid beside his comrade. He was so covered with blood, dirt, and mortar that he could not be recognised. He was breathing, but no more, and was pulseless. Several attempts were made to get him to swallow some stimulants, hut they were ineffectual. His respirations grew less frequent, until finally they ceased altogether. He was tenderly placed to one side, his face covered with a napkin, his hands placed over his breast, and his body covered with a blanket. The last victim was the driver of engine No. 30, David date. He was nncon-

•clous and bleeding copiously from a wound on his head. His shirt was also covered with blood. He lived only a short time, aud died without regaining consciousness. The losses could be estimated only approximately. Gentlemen who are acknowledged to be excellent judges of real estate, stated that the loss on the buildings alone would reach 750,000d015. The amount of insurance was estimated in the aggregate, by several insurance men, who were at the fire, to be about, 500,000d015.

A White Day.—Notwithstanding London’s four-millions of population, the entire twentyfour hours of November 22 passed without the commission, or at least the detection, of a single crime. A Chicago man got a pair of ear-muffs for a Christmas present, and was thus afforded one of the strongest examples of wifely devotion on record. There wasn’t a scrap left of his wife c seal-skin cloak.