Long Island, NY Stable Fire, Apr 1856

LONG ISLAND

Incendiary Fire---Fatal Accident.

Three small stables on Bugbie's-alley, near Poplar-street, Brooklyn, owned by George Sutton, Louis De Hoummegue & John Bayard, were destroyed by fire about 7 o'clock Saturday evening, together with several small out-buildings attached to dwellings fronting on Fulton and Poplar streets. The total loss will not exceed $500. Mr. Sutton is insured for $150, in the Warren Insurance Company, of Brooklyn.

While Hook and Ladder Co., No. 4 were proceeding to this fire, in going down the steep descent near the corner of Henry, in Fulton-street, their carriage being on the railroad track, because unmanageable, and was abandoned by most of the company. At this point the tongue on one of the ladders struck a man named James Shields in the breast and knocked him upon the track, when the wheels passed over him. He was immediately carried to Dr. Gilphlan's corner of York and Main streets, but he died before reaching that place, and the body was taken to the Second District Station-house. Yesterday Coroner Redding held an inquest on the body, when a verdict of accidental death was tendered.

The jury drew up a petition to be presented to the Common Council consuring the practice of the firemen running their machines on the Railroad track, and asking that an ordinance may be adopted to prevent further accidents from this cause---three lives having been lost within a very short period of time. Deceased was not a member of the Fire Department and at the time of the accident was standing at the tongue of Engine No.1, which was at [ineligible]. He leaves a family indigent circumstances. Another man was run over at the same time as deceased, name John Rock[ineligible], but he escaped serious injury as if by a miracle.

The fire undoubtedly was the work of an incendiary.

New York Daily Times, New York, NY 14 Apr 1856
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!