Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-02-19

Extensive and Destructive ire.
AS nearly % possible abou, o'c clock on Sunday
morning, fire was discovered in the Bowcry Theatre;
which in little more than an hour consumed the en-
tire building
The flames spread with most alarming rapidly, and
required the utmost energies of the fremen to pre-
vent the entire block from being consumed.
IL 10 not precisely known in what part Of the thea
tire il first broke out but Judging from what saw,
we should say that it must have originated in the up
per part of the building We were the spot within
Eve minutes after the Waterman gave the first alarm
and the flames jast then burst through the roof in
three places.
We have also conversed with those persons who
were last in the theatre; they say that they did not
leave the place till past o'clock, because they
were preparing some new dresses, &C., for the play
of Richard the Third" in which Mr.. Booth was to
appear on Monday night. At that time all the fires
IN the dressing and wardrobe rooms had been care
fully put out.
1t was rumored tina. the fire occurred first in the
green room bat this could not be- as the FIRE in the
green room stove had been carefully put out before IL
o'clock.
There were three watchmen on duty in the theatre,
and they say that they first discovered the fire by
On this account it is supposed have occurred just
under the roof and there had been no light up
there during the evening, it is naturally supposed
10 be the work of an incendiary.
So much for the origin of the FIRE; and now for its
extent 1t destroyed the interior of the theatre leav
ing nothing but the side walls, part of the front WALL
and the columns of the porico standing. So rapid
was the progress of the flames, that nothing what
ever was saved of the valuable stock Of dresses, de-
cerations properties &c. &c. &c.
The wlRd was comparatively ligAt or the destruc-
ton of property would have been immense The
houses IN Elizabeth street Immediately behind the
theatre were severely scorched, and nothing but the
most untiring efforts of the 6remsn saved them from
total destruction As il was none of the buildings in
the rear were burnt
The wind blowing up from Chatham street, the
building Immediately adjoining the theatre on that
side was injured 10 very trfling extent.
But the porter house kept by Mr.. Bradford Jones,
(adjsining the theatre the other side,) No. 80
Bowery, was nearly destroyed. The back and upper
part was entirely consumed with large part of the
stock and fixtures.
Mr.. Matthews billiard room, next door, was also
destroyed; ono billiard table was got out and now
lies on the sidewalk opposite the ruins.
No. 81 Bowery was occupied by Mr.. Francis
Kraft as porter house, and the cellar by Euben
Gayter az an oyster room. The upper and back part
of the building destroyed most Of the stock of goods
&c. were removed and subsequently stolen.
No. 52i was occupied by Mr. Jonathan Haight, as
merchant tailor and clothing store; the upper and
back part much injured nv the fire. Mr. Haigh's
goods considerably injured by the water before
they were removed. They were subsequently all re-
moved from the store and many of them were stolen.
His loss cannot be much less than S70O-he was but
partially insured. In the upper part Of the same
building resided the widow Of Mr. Joseph G. Brewer;
she lost her furniture and all she had in the world;
on which she was not insured single cent.
No. "a was occupied by M. VIM Morrison copper,
tin and sheet iron worker; the house was burnt
at the back and the roof; and the furniture was
much injured by water, as were the goods in the stores
these latter nearly all removed, and but about
two thirds OF them brought back after the fire.
The carpets in the bed and sitting rooms were cover
ed with large flakes OF ice at breakfast time. Mr. NJ
was nearly covered by insurance.
Ne. 54t was occupied by Mr. MKinley, as draper
and merchant tailor; the house very slightly in
Jsred but the goods were damaged by water and a
great portion OF them stolen and carried off, Mr.
MacKineyslo cannot be less than $500, for which
amount however, we are happy 10 say he is insured.
ludnks-uncedsiilS lnhHhs W ue lnifeplu eAcruOns
Of the remen, this body OF the flames here stay
ed. The damage done TO the fences and back pre-
misses ofthe houses on Walker street is very ,rifng;
and we believe that very little property besides what
wementened was lost by being removed. But some
large flakes of fire were carried by the wind in
the direction Of Christie street. and set fire stable
belonging to Mr.. Hambhn, Immediately in the rear of
the large house formerly occupied by him in the
Bowery. Fortunately this stable stood pretty muck
nnconneeted with any other building, and const quent
iy no other was destroyed that direction. The
bic rented Of MIR. Hambln by Mr. Matthew
Green the foreman Of No. Isl there were two horses
in il, but these got out unlnJursd; we regret to
say, however, that black man named Tom, who |
slept in the hay loft, was burnt to death. |
Thus much for the extent Of the fire, and now for I
the loss. We have already mentioned the various
store keepers who suffered by the fire. The stores
belong to the Astsr property and we understand |
were covered by insurance. |
With respect to the theatre ITSELF the building NOM
inaly belonged to Mr.. ID nneford, and was in the |
hands of assgnees for the benefit OF the creditors Of
the theatre All the insurance that formerly was ef
fected on this theatre S35 go but have been
told that the present building insured for $40 00e
am