The Sun.
London, England, 1822-09-23 00:00:00

FIRE AT AMSTERDAM.

•
AMSTERDAM, SEPT. 18.---To-day, at noon, one
'of the most dreatlfhl fires broke out here that has happened in
this city for many years. The new Lutheran church, on the
north-east side .of'the Singel, is burnt down, together with some
of the adjacent buildings. The church was sibserved to be on
fire about half-past one, and a little after two it was all in
flames.. The heat was so great, that all efforts to save the
nearest hotises were necessarily renounced. It was felt at the
distinee of two streets on the Torensluis, and 'opposite the
church it was insupportable, notwithstanding the breadth of
the Shigel. • •The sight of the lofty cupola in•flames was dread-
ful but sublime. The copper which covered it, and which flew
in large sheets through the air, coloured the flames with vary-
ing tints of blue.and green, hich were speedily mingled with
the brighter flames of the ardent spirit, and the dark yellow
smoke of the oil with which the adjacent warehouses were
filled. It seems certain (at least this is the general report) that
the fire commenced in the church itself, and not in one of the
neighbouring warehouses ; but with respect to the Teal cause
of the misfortune, .we have little more than conjectures. On
account of the .violence of the fire, and the falling sparks, the
vessels nearest the Singel, over, which a very strong east wind
fortunately drove the thick smoke, had . to remove to another
place; it does not appear that any of them have received much
damage. The fine Church thus destroyed, and of which little
will remain but Ihe wall round it, which is 111 feet thick, was'
erected in the year. 1678,.1681, chiefly by voluntary dOnations.
The fine' clothe was built on the model of that' of St: Peter's
at Rome, and, as well as a' semicircular building adjoining,'
covered with plates of copper, which were brought from Swe-
den ditty free, •by permission of King Charles •XL• On the
platform of the adjoining back building there •was a- large cis-
tern of rain water,, to be used in case of fire. We do,not know.
whether it has been of any service on this occasion.
FOUR o',ci.pqx.--,Vour of the adjoining dwelling-houses
and magazines are burnt, and a fifth is in flames.
SEPT. 19.—The fire yesterday seems to have brokers out in
the loft where the plumbers had been at work, and so rapidly
spread that the church was all in flames in half an hour, and
soon communicated to the neighbouring houses and warehouses,
some of which being full of spirits of wine, and other inflam-
mable substances, added to the fury of the conflagration. The
greatest praise is due to the firemen for .their extraordinary
exertions, and we are happy in not having heard of any acci-
dent of great .consequence, only that one of the. firemen received
some severe bruises on the neck and hands, another on the
hands only. The whole inside of the church is destroyed, the
walls only remaining. Happily the books and papers were
saved, as well as 'some valuable articles from the Consistorial
Chamber. Six dwelling houses and nine warehouses are en- ,
tirely or nearly destroyed; some others are damaged, hut not'
to any extent.