Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-02
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.


Neu- York .April ga very extensive and
destructive fire took place this morning about
8 o'clock, whereby the whole block known as
the Exchange Buildings, and occupying the
site of the old post-office, on the corner OF Gar
den and William-streets, was destroyed.
The FIRE is supposed to have originated IN the
garnet of the centre building, occupied as tai
lor's workshop; and inasmuch as the partition
walls were not carried up to, and above the
roof, the upper lofts Of all the stores, seven IN
number, formed but one great one. The pro-
gress Of the flames was very rapid, and owing
to the very dangerous construction OF these
stores, the firemen absolutely, and as the event
soon proved, very. wisely, refused 10 enter them,
as on ordinary occasions they are wont to do,
with the utmost fearlessness. So Obvious, in
deed, as we are informed, was the insecurity OF
these buildings, that when they were putting
up, the FIRE department gave notice that in the
event Of fire in them, the fremen would not
think it safe to enter within their frail walls.
The leading defect of their construction was
this-the whole front wall reposed upon archi-
traves, and door and window frames OF iron;
which in their turn rested on wooden beams;
and these last being charred, and in some in
stances burnt through, the iron supporters
Welded with them, and the brick walls follow
ed. as Of course-so that when once the facade
began to give way, the whole mass tell like
card house: and at this moment there is scarce
" one brick OH another to tell that such edih-
ces were. The destruction Of property is very
large, but no lives were lost. Insurance was
effected on the buildings for $50, 900; and on
goods at the Offices, as far as we have learned,
TO the amount of 100000. There will be an
immense amount uncovered. M Rossiere the
agent Of Messrs Ternaux s. Co. Of Paris, had
insurance to the amount Of 900 on cloths,
&c. in his store, but lost between 90 and $780,
600 more These cloths were all packed up
ready to be moved, and would have been sent
off Yesterday but for the rain.-M. Casthelaz,
who had Just moved in from Maidenlane, lost
very large assortment Of Leghorn bonnets and
fancy articles, probably $4,000 more than was
insured. Mr. Regulus lost considerable stock
of coffee and indigo, all uninsured. Alex. Ora
ham, Esq. succeeded in saving all his law pa
pers. His neighbours, Messrs. Van Hook and
William II. Maxwell, were less fortunate,
theirs being all destroyed Saunders, hair
cutter, lost much Of his property, and narrow
ly escaped with his life, being engaged in the
upper stories, in packing up what he could,
when the roof fell in.-The Office, books and
papers, of the Marble Manufacturing Compa-
ny were destroyed, but nothing valuable is sup
posed to have been thereby lost
A request in writing has been left at this Of
flee, that we would caution the public that
barrel Of arsenic lies scattered in Garden-street
among the ruins.-Property to the amount of
nearly $4,000 was saved in the Garden-street
Churchyard.
The following is list of the tenants in the
Exchange Buildings:-Messrs. r. L. Lord, E
c. Delavan, J. {. Roster, Berger, F. A. {
Brichta, L. Lisez, B. NE,Ginnis, N. Casthelaz,
Thouvenin s. Richaurd, S. Gambler & Co. ]. B.
Murray * Son, Arthur Bronson, A. w. Hardie,
Rhode-Island Coal Co. White Lead Company,
and the Marble Manufacturing Company.
american.