FEBRUARY USHERED OUT BY MANY LARGE FIRES IN NEW YORK CITY
Chief Kenlon Directs Men at Multiple-Alarm Fires—Building in Construction Destroyed in Bronx—Lives Endangered at Broome Street
NEW YORK City had a series of fires during the closing days of February which marked an otherwise unusually quiet winter. The largest of eight extra-alarm fires was in the southwesterly part of the Borough of the Bronx, overlooking the Yankee Stadium and directly across the Harlem River from the Polo Grounds. It was at the apex of Jerome and Anderson avenues in a six story unfinished apartment house which was actually three houses into which the plaster had not as yet been applied.
About thirty hours after workmen had laid down their tools on Saturday afternoon, the fire, of undetermined origin occurred on the third floor. Its spread was so rapid that it required a fifth alarm assignment, a special call for a water tower and then special calls for three extra engine companies. It furnished a beacon surpassed only by the Sherry-Netherlands hotel last April. Boxes were pulled blocks away by excited persons. The fire gutted the upper stories of the building, embracing an area of approximately 200 x 50 feet The front wall fell and the remainder was so precarious that building department officials pulled the balance down for safety.
On Washington’s Birthday night a fourth alarm in a six story loft building at 547 Broadway, next door to the general merchandise establishment of Charles Broadway Rouss, gave Chief Kenlon and his men a stiff battle for two hours before it was under control.
The building ran through to Mercer street. It was as large as two ordinary sized buildings. The fire originated on the 2nd floor in a shirt manufactory. Seven units of the salvage corps were called to cover up. The flames swept through the building with unusual rapidity and the fire was so intense that it heated the iron shutters on the Ross store to such a point that it set off the sprinklers on the second, fourth, eighth and ninth floors. The building was tenanted mainly by dry goods and dress gotids firms.
Another lire in the same locality—the old so-called “sweatshop” district occurred about mid-day on February 24th at 458 Broome street in a five story loft building. This called for a third alarm response supervised by Chief Kenlon. Fire originated on the third floor and extended to the 4th, 5th and the roof. It was occupied by cotton goods dealers, printers, excelsior, leather novelties, hardware, etc.
The other fires were one of fourth alarm proportions in the Jamaica district and the balance were two alarm fires.
