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Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 6, 28 April 1876, Page 4

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wow filled last night New York Tribune " of Feb- «>) with the crowds of home from their daily oecn pat tons, the sky over the centre of the brines* potion of the city, almost with the suddenness of an espMion, was iltmmnat<:d wit!, the lorul -br« of a, great tire, which was ri>tfeetf»l in a ruddy gleam from eyery window and prominent object within a long distance. "What cart tt be f w:u the on everybody a Hp<-<. and cvi>n the firemen were surprised. The alarms catted the latter to the building cover 1113 Nos. 444 and M»V IJ roadway, which is nearly in the middle of the block fn.:t worn Sotrard ami Grand streets, and extending through to Crosby-street. It would s©*?ni tl»at a l>uiMtny no fully occupied, in ft' > prominent a. portion ©f the city, tire could make n>> gnat headway within a few momenta after tinclosing of the shutters of the stores, yet the member a of Hook ami Ladder Company Jfw. Eight, who" were first upon the grotntd, declare that the ttames were bursting; ©ttt of every window when they reached the »pot r and tt was evident that no efl'orts could save the strncttiro from destruction. A mc»d«l anil tEuril alarm followed the first til rapid sttceeaaion, 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 labours. Tiien special orders were aent out, and ever}" r e ef appar utns in the city that could spared was brought to the spot, until |y»lf the Ftre Department were on ditty. After the sinking of the roof and tloors of the bmlding in which the fire originated, the iron front still stood upright for a moment, arch on arch to the cornice, which bnrned with a blue tlame, easily seen through the red of the main min. _ It was seen to totter, however, and the firemen drew away from ho fore it, and took away as much of their hose a.* possible. They hast barely done so, and all had not yet got away, when the whole fell with r. tremendous crash into Broadway, breaking the iron columns into fragment*. Several firemen were observed tleeing from nruler ! the wall aa> it came down, and a universal ' cry o£ horror went n§> aA some of them ! were seen tt> fall, and all we-te hidden in the'clowl of dust and smoke whicsi inS Stoutly arose. Quiet: feet bore willing I I«uids through rains to their help, and a 'i great sigh of relief was audible as all were ■ seen to emerge alive front the tmntilt. ■Two men, however, were hart, but not Mriotwly. Bto / tlarrves spread throttgh the entire bttilding at \tw. 4-fH and 450 with attch . a|)i«Vly that same of tlte hose could not lie got out of the building. The covers of lite nsttrance patrol were also consumed, and t&e firemen had to fcly for their lives, i The front of tins structure was of iron, I huge cotfitnns were bent and with the intense head, but still a. About half-past eight i of the party wall between the ital Hotel and the btttlding fell in, ; nutteh of the del>ra upon t!ie The cry went forth that aeveten were bnned in the niina. nefceel tm the place, and almost as he wall had fallen, be-'an to dig mitts to reaette the firemen. Jgler, of the Ko{w>ken Fire De- , was.near a3 the wall fell, and being buried, lie saw a tended front beneath a pile of vl iinme«Oately sprang forward, ihe hand, and began to throw the d mortar frout the man's b«wlyfew momenta before the first * iafc&n ont.- Several fireman irwanl, and tenderly carried their kt* the oipposiSe side of Broadare he was laid on the side-walk, naensible, his face so covered with I dirt that he was hardly recogAfter tmaticceaafttlly trj-ing to ;r some atimttlants, he was rc- > a saloon, where a doctor, who i to t>e on the spot, attended to soon regained conseiovmness. In time, the officers nnd firemen were fhtg ottt others who were buried, l broKght into the saloon, one by tey were extricated. Tne ,groan- ;© wounded and dying, and the ipectacrle of the btood-!>egritited hey were laid side by side made a painful one. The second man I was Thomas Cortiaaos, a tiree olse> was insensible when taken er the lajiae of some time he also coosctottsness. Tlte next man in was Ltndsey WiUiamson. It loctor only a moment to discover as (lead. While the firemen were » their sorrow and fearn for the ! his poor wife and children, ■an was brought in and laid be>tittade. He was so covered with t, and mortar that he could not bed. He was breathing, bnfc no I wasptilseless. Several attempts !e to get him to swsiliow some if bttt they were inetTectnal. His tis grew leaa frequent, until tiy ceased altogether. He was laced to one side, his face covered pkin, his hands placed over his tut hia body covered with a The last .victim was the driver of k SO, David Clttte. He n-.tn unatKl Weeding copiously fnrui a his head. His shirt was also ith Wncd. He lived only a short I died withottt regaining con- - 3CS cottld "he estimated only a|>ly. Gentlemen who are acknowmt excellent jodgesof real estate, t the loss oti the hnildings alone id* 700,000c101. The aniotmt of ,**• estimated in the aggregate, I insurance men, who were at the «bo«t 500,000d01.