Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-10-01
Destructive Firc-The National Theatre,
shree Churches and several Houses burnt

three Churches and several Houses burnt
down.
On Tuesday afternoon, between the hours OF four
and five o'clock, smoke was seen issuing from the
interior Of the National Theatre, particularly from
the lower windows Of the side on Leonard street.
One or two persons passing by gave the alarm OF
FIRE, and in five minutes the City Hall bell rang The
report spread like widre through the city that the
National Theatre was on fire, and thousands focked
to the spot.
When we reached the theatre the flames were still
confined to the under the stage, and just
breaking through Ia the pit and orchestra. The cry
then was that the fire broke out in the gas room,
little dark room, under private box, letter A.
Others, and ourselves among the number, are Of the
opinion that il broke out farther back but still un-
der the stage BE that as may, there Is little doubt
that il was the work Of an incendary.
The flames spread like wildfre; and, in few
minutes the stage burnt through, and the green
room, the wardrobe, and the scenery were oee mass
Of fame At this moment, the interior Of the house
presented a most brilliant appearance, and all the
and splendid ornaments, just on the eve OF being
consumed, shining with such SURPRISING briliiancy,
gave il the appearance Of fairy palace. Uniortu.
nately, the fire occurred at hour when nearly all
engaged in the theatre were at home; and hence all
the valuable properties, dresses, books music IN
strumen ts, &c. were destroyed
Mr.. Mitchell the stage manager, had LETT the house
q short time previous, and there was then no hre
in the house, and only Everard and his wife there
In the course Of half hour the stage manager return
ed On finding that the door was locked and that no
could not make Everard, the housekeeper hear, he
next tried 10 get into the window OF ms dressing
room. To his grea, surprise he found this fastened
He, hswcvcr, succeeded by breaking pane OF glass
and putting his hand in so as to raise the sash. on
reaching the stage, he found the lire burning All
across the rear, and Just then IL got held OF the
scenery, and from thence TO the body Of the house
Finding that il would be useless attempting TO stop
the progress OF the flames he turned his attention to
saving some Of the dresses and particularly the
books from the treasury and other valuable effects
Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm Of all pre-
sent in their endeavor 20 save something from the
theatre Mr.. Rocket, Mr. Toomer and others, rush.
ed into the theatre at the risk Of their lives to snatch
articles from the flames, and acts OF heroism were
performed without parallel The efforts OF the en-.
zines were fruitIess. The flames spread with such
astonishing rapdy to defy all attempts TO subdue
them In half an hour every part of the house was
in flames. The beautiful and extensive private ward
robe &c Mr.. Wallack, worth $4,000 (not to be
matched in aay country) was entirely consumed IL
vas deuosited in n small room next to his private
room M stairs. Wallack himself was early on the
spot and rushed into the theatre at the risk Of his
life, to endesvcr to save some articles OF great value
but teo late. The expensive wardrobe OF Mr. VAN
aenho in the theatre, just inside the stage door,
but part Of II was saved. Charles Kean's ward
robe was there. and only part Of that was saved
4 wardrobe worth 5000. but ali his valuable music,
operas, scores. &C., worth $4,000, were destroy
ed Seguin lost some music. The musicians
lost their instruments: one lost Cremona fiddle
worth f500 Mitchell, Williams. Lambert Mrs.
SETON, and most Of the others lost great part Of
their wardrobcs In short, rapid the progress
Of the flames that little besides the iron chest and
the books were saved The loss Of Mr.. waack
alone IL at least so 900 in dresses, properties,
&C sc all paid for, and on which there not
cent sfinsurance. The acters have lost 5000 The
musicians have lost in instruments 5000 And there
were Lost in ca.h notes and bills IN the Treasury
the time of the fire $500. The theatre itself was
insured in the North American the Hudson, and the
Fircmen's Offices This was the joint property of
Mr.. Moran and Mr.. Avmar. Such Is the loss con.
nected with the theatre.
The flames caught simultaneously the roof OF the
African Methodist Church corner of Leonard and
Church streets, and the beautiful French Church,
corner Of Church and Franklin streets. These were
soon consumed The fire then caught the Dutch Re-
formed Church in Franklin street, and several houses
in the vicinity; some grog shops; some designation
houses; some respectable dwellings; some schools,
and missionary houses-the strangest medley that
ever was destroyed in one burning. The exertions
Of the fremen were tremendous, and after working
four hours, they got the ERE under with the following
hoes:
National Theatre and prcpertis', $4,000
French Ch-rch, 5000
Dutch Church, 35,eW
Negro u~ch, $1,000
sheuse. Of ~ fans, Tnoo
sDwelIirs Iiov~s. 10000