Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-05-31
From tho .Nec- York Erening Post.
GREAT FIRE


Eyy ming of BoDery the 1heafre.-Iast eve
env about half past six O'Clock a FIRE broke oui in
th. livery stable ofNr. Ch,mbcrs, in Bayard street,
near the corner Of the Bnwery. Tho building was
oC wool and the wni blowing fre IN from the south
veg the flames spread with great rapidity. Sever
nj or the ad,ining houses which were mostly ot
wood were Immediately on fire, and when the TIRE
man arrived with their engines it was already too
tsts n save them. Twelve horses were in the sta
Mo- of these only two were savcl, the resi- shared
the fste of the building Great difficulty found
in pvocurng water IA tho neig,borhood OF the con-
f,gra,on, and IL only until line OF engines was
f,rmed extending TO the East River, at Ca'har'ne
slip, and another In the corporation supply engine,
nj the corner Of Leonard and Eln-strcets, that
sufficient quantity could be procured to have any
effect upon the flames. In tho mean time the h,mcs
were driven nv the wind full upon tho Bovvery
Theatre. No apprchensions were entertained Tor
it's safety. the side wall was fire proof, and tho
windows guarded with iron shutters.-No pre-
caiujns were taken to remove the scenery and
decorations, tho warlrohes OF the .pertormers.
At length however in less than hour from tho
Hsst alarm, ths wooden cornice Of the theatre took
fro anl the anes, sciz;ng the ends Of the raftcrs
wcrc driven with great violence into the interior OF
the nuii.ng. So rapid their progress that tho
persons within and on the roof, aped with diff
ca,ty. Two taken out Of an upper win
dow almost sntiocatcd, and another who was on the
roof al the lime it took fire retrcating be-
fare the volumes OF smoke and Aimes till he came
tn tho ridge, where, finding other method Of os-
c,pc, he slid do yn 10 q chimney that stood against
the north side of the roof and thence let himself drop
upon the roof Of another building about 70 feet below.
when il discovered that the roof had takon
fro the doors in front set omen, but the crowd
pressing in great numbers to gain admittancc, they
wcrc prudenily closed again with all possible speed.
In quarter Of an hour from the time that the FIRE was
communicate to the caves the whole roof OF this i'm
.mcnse ed6cc wrapped in flames, and shortly at
ter the lead with which it covered melted with
the heat and fell in. pyramid Of fame rose from
tho burning roof to an immense height with daz-
ling intensity Of brightness and heat that drove back
tho by ISLANDERS, and shed over the city light like
t,at Of day. At length the rooi fell in, which was
-f,il,wcl By the chimncys, one after the other and
fby the wall Of the west end Of the theatre. The ter
-rb,e element continued 10 rage within, until cvcry
thing hut the front ard the side walls consumed
An Immense number of spectators. from all parts
the cv, and remote, Of all ages sexes and con
ditions, were assembled to witness the terrible mag
niiiccnt spectacle and the streets to great distance
AROUND checked with the throng Of people hurry
ng and fro, standing TO gaze upon the conAagra
-tion.--1hc crowd was great to impele the con
veyance of goods places safety from the numerou
dwellings, the inmates Of which were alarmed at thu
progress the fire, and some dcpreations were com
tilted upon the property. From one house CO
bcdsiead was thrown through the window upon
group Of people below, and one We learn was 3,
severely injured tho head, that he taken u
thc hospital. The 6rc ragged about three hours be
fore at length got nndcr by the exertons OF h'
6rcmen. Tho forkville engine was brought dow'
by three horses. aud tho BROOKLYN fremen came ove
slthouyt without their engines. Their services were
Important, Cor the faiigues which our frcmon under
went almost Incredible.
Tho play Of the Gamblers Fate to have beei
performed on that evening for the benefit Of Mrs. Gil
<cri, the wife of tho Manager, and foil house wa
expected The performers weie dressing for thei
psrts when tho fire broke out. 1t fortunate tha
tho alarm was given before tho house began to I'll.
II " said that an insurance had bnen effected o
the Theaireto the amount Of $4,000 in diAcren
Offices rhs Other property, the scenery, &c. Is sal
10 havo been hat p,rly insured. Tho following lis
eibuljings destroyed is.eom the Gazette Of thi
Raorning.
List Of Buildings destroyed and injured. as fd
as nsccrtained.
Bayard .strest-Mr. Chambers livery stabt
fwhcse the h,e originated, and supposed by deagn
totally destroyed and three horses burned; II. Under
hin, do. do Porter House OF Bayard and Eliza
beth SITS. occupants name not asaert aimed. o,
the south side Of Bsysrd 81. the house occupied b.
Geo ,tiawse, and that by Mrs. Miller. ss eraeke
bskcry, wore partially damaged.
Bo,cery--Givns stage house and tavern. como
~ Bsyard st.; Palmcr's grocery Thos. Swift's por
,sr h,ssse barbsrs shop; M'Dona,d's porter hogs
fbrichl; Nathaniel Weeks do. (briek); Benz. Scrib
ssr's Shakespeare tavcro; confectionery shop, Em
vons' psrtss house; and the Thsaue--all totally de
srovsd Pisrsons tavern, 6rst house above th
Theatre. considerably injured tho rear being partl
hurnsd. and every thing removed from the house
Ne.yjv III the fn<sKsse taken out of the house
hsssscs Picrsyu's ant Punp-strect, which was O
osusss more NJ less injured.
!" E,i;xgbsfk- -sfrees--1hree or iosr kzme boding
S-ssrcveJ. includiss one north Of tho Thssue.
.ev ere proof three story building IN the rear O
wsshss occupied a. srocesy ssd dvsii'"f' was no
Injured.