 On February 26, 1895, waste paper caught fire and destroyed the cupola and the statue of Justice that stood atop it, as well as the top floors of the building; water damage ruined the walls and ceiling of the Common Council chamber.Three years later, a new Victorian cast-iron cupola was built, designed by Vincent C. Griffith and the firm of Stoughton and Stoughton, on which was placed a flag.In 1898, the city of Brooklyn was consolidated into the five boroughs of New York City, and this building ceased being "City Hall" and became "Borough Hall".