Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-10-07
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PHILADELPHIA, saturday b, "A M.
DEAR SIR-All the ight long there has been
dreadful fire raging, and it is still burning II 10 the
largest fire that has occurred in Philadelphia since
the water works were started. Fifty houses
burnt, and the fire is still raging
Those in New York who are interested may east
ly what houses are burnt. Ii began about 10
last night at the store of d w. Prescott No. Is,
the South wharves, which runs through to Water
street, where the forms No. 49, This is close
TO the foot of Chestnut street. The wind blew vio-
lently from the North East, and drove the fire
through the entire block Water street, and down
Water street through the entire block to Front street
And although this is a very wide street, (as wide as
most parts OF Broadway it crossed Front street and
set fire to several houses the opposite side Fears
were then entertained for the large block
through to Second street; the wind, however,
changed, and the FIRE went no further West
1t then extended south, and burnt all the buildings
(except two) both blocks clear through to Chest
nut street. The fire extended farther north than
in line with Prescotts store; but crossed Chestnut
street, and burnt along Front street, for the space
of four houses, which were destroyed; the fifth
house in Front street from the corner of Chestnut
street, was the wine store Of Mr.. Mllvaine, and
here the fire stopped. All the houses, however,
the south side Of Chestnut street from the
of Front street TO the waters edge destroyed,
with the exception of the New York and Philadel-
phia railroad depot. This fire, but by great
exertions was saved. 1t was full of merchandise of
all kinds, nearly all Of which thrown out the
wharf, and some was stolen.
The extent OF the fire, then, was this; ten houses
on the South wharf from the corner OF Chestnut
street. ten from the place, facing each side
Of Water street; and ten from the same corner on
the east side of Front street, and ten the south
side of Chestnut street. between Front and the water
side. Among the sufferers are
On the scharf-D. w. Prescott, No Is w. d
Strorp, IA, no insurance; A: NJ Jones; George
Merrill. Is; G. Cheeseborough, l6; Allibone, IL &
Is; liking & Co., 10; Geo. Neale, 20; ShobeI &
Bunting, Fl; Baltimore Depot Office, corner Of
Chestnut street, %; Adam Hinsdae.
Co.. Mesgeas l. Unkart; John Lloyd; G. W. Hill;
Antony Egan; John Nee; WIN. r. Thompson &
On Chesnut-Enoch Allen, tailor; James Martin,
On Water-Henry White; VIM. R. White; NJ
Stevenson; John White, Fulton House; Thompson
& Co
On the wharf, Grant s. Stone, No 10 & II, are not
touched; on Water street, John Harding,Jr was not
injured On Front, the store OF 5. C. Bunting and
that of James Arrat, recently occupied by HELD,
Woodward s. Co. were saved. In the latter there
were dry goods worth 100000 The fire burnt all
round this last, which is fire proof. The store of
Gaskill Barnes, corner of Water and Chestnut. was
saved.
Several were hurt by falling walls; seven were
carried away and it is thought two will die; Mr.
Smile, of the Fame Co., and Mr. Russell, of the
Neccacoe Co. Mr.. Timmins, fireman, was dread
fully burnt A roof fell in and buried fireman in
the flames beneath. A fireman belonging to the
United States Co. had his head cut open. A MEM
Der Of the Diligence Co. was crushed and carried to
the hospital.
P.S A quarter past four o'clock.-The fire has
just broke out in a place. Carters Alley, on the
south side OF Chestnut, and west side Of Front street.
more than four blocks from the origin Of the fire.
In THE alley there is an immense nest OF small
frame houses. The fremen have worked necessarily
for hours, and are exhausted the head Of wa
ter is much diminished, and il seems probable that
the fire will spread still further.
There were two fights, one in Chestnut between
Second and Front streets, and one on the wharf
The steam boat for the New York Railroad line
got her steam up and took on board goods from the
fire.
At one time great fears were entertained for the
shipping and steam boats At the wharves. The
ship Susquehannah's bowsprit touched one OF the
burning buildings, but the wind changed and saved
her. The ship Thomas p. Cope was alongside and
in great danger.
The wharves are strewed with goods; oil, spirits,
wine, rope, dry goods. all damaged. There was
much gunpowder, oil, and turpentine burnt. The
loss must be at least 81 0OO,0O0!!!
On board The Boat.
Last Postscript. z o clock, Saturday Mornng.-The
fire is still raging furiously; several large store
houses are fire between Front and second streets,
close to the latter, and in Taylor's aley-they are
burning fcrcsly Several houses are also on fire
on the south side OF Chestnut, between Front and
Second street The inhabitants moving their
goods both sides Of Chestnut street to Second street
200 families burnt out / do not think million
will cover the loss; il may be over two millions
Nearly every thing on the large depot Of the Cam
den and Amboy Railroad was saved.
LAST MoMESr-Quartsr past Sepen-Cify on fire
in Fire Distinct Biocks-Win ind still blowing fresh.
Men digging for fremen under the ruins. Scene Of
misery aad distress awful-loafers stealing all they
can GARY OF God knows where il will end Al
ready about IS or 90 hosses burnt down-principa
stores-some with g 100000 worth Of goods in them.
From the National Gazette
We have not vet been able to IS rtan the names
Of the owners Of the buildings which were injured
or DESTROYED ny this calamitous FIRE All which
were within the circle Of the flames burnt lat
erally 10 the ground Not particle Of wood work
is left in them, and the walls Of many have fallen
entirely. There prevailed during the whole night
strong northeast wipd, which rapidly extended the
confagration and greatly increased the difficulties Of
operating against II efficiently.
In several Of the stores, the OIL liquors. and other
combusibes, blazed for hours with intense violence.
Explosions were frequent, and several are said to
have been kegs Of gunpowder. Al six o'clock this
morning the ndefagable and daring exertions Of the
remen had reduce ed the flames, and further destruc
tion Of property ceased to be apprehended II is i'm