Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1891 — A FIERCE GOTHAM FIRE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A FIERCE GOTHAM FIRE.

AN ENTIRE BLOCK OF BIG BUILDINGS DESTROYED. The Filth Avenue and Herrmann's Theaters in Ruins—Pot.l Guests Forced to Flee for Their Lives—The Top Story of the Sturtevant House a Prey to the Flames—tire* men Have a Miraculous Escape. [New York dispatch.] Fire which it was feared would result in the loss of the lives of at least half a dozen brave firemen broke out in the Fifth Avenue Theater shortly after midnight this morning. Within an hour that famous playhouse was practically destroyed. Herrmann’s Theater was In flames, and the entire block in grave peril. The fire broke out under the stage of 'the Fifth Avenue Theater. At half past 12 o’clock an explosion was heard in the building, and a moment later the upper part of the city was illuminated by a huge sheet of flame which rose to the roof of the theater, enveloping the entire building and Herrmann’s Theater immediately adjoining. Six firemen had gone through Herrman’s Theater to the roof and had just succeeded in hoisting a length of hose up when the furnace opened directly at their feet. When from the ciowd went

up a great shout for the scaling-ladders they were quickly run up and a vain effort made to reach the imperiled men. A deadly silence that lasted for a full minute resulted, and then a moan of agony arose from the crowd. Firemen were seen to bend their heads and wipe away the tears that they could not prevent from flowing. It was thought that the men had certainly been hurled into the raging furnace beneath, aqd they were given up as lost. But from the crowd on the Twenty-eighth street side a few moments later went up a cheer. It announced the rescue of the firemen by means which sseihed miraculous. For miles around the flames could be seen shooting high into the heavens, and an encimous crowd gathered and crowded the neighboring streets. From the roof of the Fifth Avenue Theater the flames ran-along the cornices of Prof. Herrmann’s new theater, which had recently been completed and was one of the prettiest and most expensive playhouses in the city. In an instant the entire roof was ablaze. • A high wind sprang up and carried the fire with a rapidity defying the twenty-three fire companies which were there to tight it The estimated loss on the Fifth Avenue Theater was SIOO,OOO by H. C. Miner and $5500,00t) by the Gilsey estate. Miss Fanny Davenport loses $50,000, exclusive of her costumes, and Prof. Herrmann’s loss is placed at $50,000.