Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-07-26

Of yunpOwdcr IN Inls buifuIng, received III parter
for satpctre. or the truth of this we cannot at
present obtain any satisfactory evidence, though
it is very certain that satpctrc in its common
state, aud having undergone no preparation will
not erbhde, though it is highly combustible.
There were about one thousand bags of it in the
thrown down by the shock Engine No. 22,
was buried under the ruins, and if all the men
escaped with their lives it was almost miracn.
louG report is current to the contrary, but an
eye witness expresses his belief that they all es-
capped, the police having kept the ground SO clear
that they had ample room to play their engine
and to run at the first sound of the explosion.
While speaking of the police we should here say
that their conduct at every part Of the confiagra
ton was excellent and above praise. We never
saw in New York better arrangements
The Journal Of Commerce gives what appears
to be the true cause of the explosion. II says,
"the explosion which set this most disastrous
conflagration in motion, we have no doubt was
from the reservoir gasoneter of the Manhattan
Company, situated in New street, caused by the
heat of the neighboring fire. There was nothing
else which could have made il, and that could.
In consequence of this, the gas lights of our of.
fee went out instantly upon the explosion"
One o'clock-T fire has subdued and has no,
spread any farther than already described, though
the destruction within that limit is more com
plete.
AT i2 o'clock the dwelling house, No. %, at
the corner Of Broadway and Morris street, fel!
with tremendous crash, striking with great
force against the opposite building and breaking
in the windows, &c. No one hurt.
The flames were distinctly seen at Newark,
and the report was heard there. 1t was suppo.
sed that the authorities were blowing up houses
to arrest the progress the fire.
Our city readers will be generally aware that
the burn, district is the most important and valu-
able part OF the city, being composed Of large
and costly buildings filled with expensive mer.
chandise. The French and Geima mere hants
congregated chiefly in that district,
As'or Hou@.-The conduct Of Messrs. Cole.
man & Stetson, Of this house, is worthy Of the
highest commentator. A bystander infroms us
that he met Mr.. Coleman, followed by his ser
wants carrying bread and meat and coffee. in vas,
quantities, which he was actively distributing a
mone the almost exhausted fremen at the hot
test Of the fire At the same time, Mr. Stetson
opened the saloon Of this great house TO others
and gave a welcome breakfast TO four or five hun.
| dred. What could be better timed? What could
! be more grateful to wcaried mem
! Occurring thus in broad day igh., the fire pre-
| sented many scenes and inc cd-nrs such as are no,
| generally attended upon like occasions, or a,
least do not fall within the observation of spccta
! tors. We have mentioned the curious exhib
ton OF household wares along in front ofthe Trim
ity Church yard-tables, mirrors, pianos, bed
! stcads and bedding. costly lamps and we'll worr
tin candesticks cradles and pictures bird.cage,
with the birds in them, croc kerry, tenders chairs
footstoOls, knives and forks--in a word all man
ner of articles employed in splendid or lowl,
housekeeping, heaped, pcll-mell, together witt
grouping
lNciDENTs.-The police ofthe city is put in ac
tive requisition and Gordon is placed at tn
head ofthe streets leading to the fire.
1t is curious to see how frantic and inconsider
ate people are. We saw several persons throw
valuable furniture out of a fve.story house, an
the instant il touched the ground, il was dashe
into thousand atoms.
The glass, which was nearly quarter Of a
inch thick, in the building known as the foIme
Bank of the United States, was broken by tn
explosion.
The stencil Of the city was so great, caused b.
the burning of spirits, oil, and every combnstibl
matter, that il was offensive 10 those ar
preaching the city for many miles before the
reached the dock.
The city from the bay presented vastly sui
lime sight. Spectators beheld it in silence.
seemed as if all .he city was in flames Tn
sheet of fir. and smoke ascendcd 10 the clouds
At the time the explosion took place, fir,
man belonging to Engine Co. No, %, standing o
the roof of house next TO the explosion, wa
Company, two squares before touching I'll
ground. He escaped with sprained ankle.
A melancholy and truly distressing scene too
place at No. 10 Greenwich street. NJ. Henry
son OF John Carey, died OF consumption Will
the fire was raging and while the flames wer
spreading to such an extent that il was suppose
that the house in which he was might be const
, med, Death however, came, aud his body, wray
ped in his bed clothes, was immediately remove
10 place of safety,
e 1t is estimated that the loss of merchandise
e S2,0O0,OOO, we think il will prove much rrea