Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-05-09
NEW YORK CoAiMERCIALAD ADVERTISER
Wednesday EUeaiag. May |.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.


NEW YORK ADVERTISER
Wednesday EUeaiag. May |.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE!
FOUR BLOCKS OF BUILDINGS
NEARLY DGS rROYED-FOR TY
HORSES BURNT TO DEATH.
Within one week from this day, it has
been our painful duty to record three des
tructiye fires, and this day the fourth. far
more disastrous than either of the former,
and more extensive than any that has
occurred IN this city for the last quarter Of
a ceatury.
About eleven O'Clock last night, the
iarm was given, and it was assertained
that the extensive Stables Of hcssrs Kipp
and Brown, proprietors OF the Greenwich
Stages, were on fire; and the work Of des-
tructlOn did not cease until all the build
ings on four blocks, or squares, were near
ly des'reyed--destroying, it is computed.
from one hundred and thirty to one hun
dred and fifty houses and driving into the
street from three hundred and fifty to four
hundred families. Such scenes Of distress
were never before witnessed by the thou
sands of persons who were the lockers on
Of this dreadful calamity. We fully con
cur with the Daily Advertiser ofthis morn
ing. that Language can scarcely describe
the scene OF confusion and CONSERVATION
at this moment-hundreds of families who
had removed their furniture TO places sup
posed by them to be secure, were now
seen flying ia every direction before the
fury OF the all absorbing element;-in ma,
ny instances, furniture after being remov
ed, was destroyed by the fire. Through
the dense cloud Of smoak and burning
embers, children half naked were to be
seen running TO and fro crying for their
parents, and parents in despair shheking
the names OF their children.
The stables where the fire origin ated
were situated on the corner Of Hudson &
Bank-street.. The wind blowing gale
from the eastward at the time, and SO ra
Pld was the progress Of the deyouring el
ement, that in five minutes from lis com
mencemeDt the stables were in one sheet
OF flame, and in twenty minutes the blsc k
of buildings by Hudson, Bank, Greenwich
and Hammond streets, were burnt 10 the
ground. IL speedily communicated to the
adjoining block, taking westerdly direc-
ton, which very soon after, shared the
same fate.-The flames soon crossed to
The westerly side of Hammond street, and
shcrtly after the entire row fronting on
Perry street anu extending all the way to
Washington street, comprising altogether
four squares was in blaze II those who
are lot acquainted with that part OF the
city will look at the map they will see
that the blocks between Greenwich and
Washington streets are very large. We
understand that the lots being deep there
were dwelling houses both on the fropts
and rears OF most Of then.
The loss of property has been hastily
estimated at from toe hundred to too ham
Died and fifty thousand dollars; it is feared
that comparatively but q small portion is
insured We learn that Kipp g. Browns
policy expired only yesterday, or the day
before. The loss of these gentlemen will
be very severe. For in addition TO the
number Of horses. eight stages were burnt
three OF which were new. The FIRE is
generally believed to have been the work
OF tamale incendiary. Some misunder
standing having taken place between the
person suspected and one Of the drivers
and she was heard to say last night, that
she would have reyenge-and in less than
two hours from this declaration, the sta,
6les were IN ruins.
There was no want of water. but the
hFemen could not approach near the fire
IN front. IN consequence Of the extreme
heat the whole. burning, as an old fire
man said this morning, like heap OF dry
shavings. Ihe city was Illuminated, aud
al one period, twas so light in the second
ward that a newspaper could have been
read. gentleman from Newark. in
forms US that it was distinctly seen at that
place.
1t is quite impossible to give any thing
like correct list OF the sufferers at this
early period, but SO far as we are able to
do so. Here follows list Of the names of
the sufferers, Sc
he foregoing we know is incomplete.
The scene presented this morning is desc
late Indeed. There are great many fam
lilies reduced to absolute want, and we are
glad to see that public meeting has been
called to render aid to the numerous suf
ierers. 1he fire came upon many so sud.
denly, that they had barely time to es
cape with their lives-some got into the
streets with only what they had on when
they retired TO bed. In some instances.
furniture had TO be REMOVED three or Jour
times, and many articles were burnt in the
street.
we heard one man remark, that late
last night he removed all his furniture,in-
10 a house that he was this day 10 have
occupied, and this morning not yastige
Of il remained
Many are running about in the neigh
looking for their goods, not
inowing up to | o'clock, whether they
lad saved an article. Much we learn was
tolen-and the pick. pockets were on the
Iiert-one or two were taken TO the po-
ice oflica