The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-04-16
From ge Rtts5urgh Gasstis Of April II,
C0NFI AGRATI0N!! n
MOST DREADFUL CALAMITY!
PIYYNB U.RGH
IN RUINS!

the most fearful calamity which ever befel any
city the size of Pittsburgh While we now write
an awful fire is raging, consuming the fairest
portion OF our city, and no human being can tell
where ii will stay lis ravages. 1t has now been
burning for six hours, and confusion reigns su-
preme, and ii cannot be expected that we shall
give any thing like a particular statement of
calamity SO extensive, and involving such fearful
runs. What general particulars we can give
we lay before our readers.
The FIRE broke out about IL o'clock, NJ, to-
day, in an old frame shed on the east side of
Ferry street, used, we believe, for a smoke
house, Immediately surrounded on two sides
with old frame buildings. The weather was
extremely dry, and wind high, almost gale,
blowing from the west.
The houses adjoining on Second street, caught
fire Immediately. The engines at this time be-
gan 10 play, and had there been sufficiency of
water would have subdued the fire. But from
want of water, and high wind, the fire extended
across Second street to the Globe Cotton Facto-
Iry, which, together with dwelling adjoining,
was consumed. The Sd Presbyterian Church
was on fire, but was saved with great exertion.
The fire, also, about the same time, extended
ACROSS Ferry street, to The west side, where il
consumed some or dwellings, when it was
stopped in that direction, the wind being fayora-
ble
But it was east Of Ferry street where the fire
ragged with most fury Ii Immediately extsnded
towards Market street, sweeping every house cr
both sides of Second street, and the whole
square bounded by Market, Ferry, Second and
Front streets, except one building, the ware.
& T.. 4,
bounded by Market, Ferry, Second, and Third
streets, every building was destroyed except the
3rd Church, and Johnson 81 StGckton's printing
Office, and the American Office.
The square bounded by Market, Ferry, Front
and Water streets, was saved, with but little in
Jury.
The fire crossed Market at Front street, and
then began to rage with awful fury. This was
about two O'clock P NJ, and the wind had IN
creased TO a perfect gale. The fire absolutely
appeared to dance ftom roof to roof, and in an
incredible short space Of time, the three immense
squares composed mostly of warehouses, bound
ed by Market and Wood, and extending from
Third to the river, were sea of fame
The heat by this time was tremendous, and
the wind blowing at gale, Wood street formed
no barrier at all. The flames went Kissing across
as eager for their prey. They also crossed Third
street below the new Post Office, and went rush
ing up Wood street across Fourth. -and Wood
street was sea of fire from the river to Diamond
alley
But this was hot all; the fire had become un-
governable. The arm of man was impotent.--
Even the goods removed to streets for safety,
were seized upon and destroyed. On, on, march.
ed the raging element A sea Of fame rolls on
from Wood street to Smithheld The Monoll-
gahela house, that nobIest of modern hotels, is
surrounded with flames. 1t takes fire! Still the
ruin rolls on--crossing Smithfeld street, and
Grant street, sweeping Scotch Hill entirely.
Even the Canal does not stop it, the Gas
Works takes fire, and directly all Kensngion is
in flames, and the fire rolls on, and is only stop
ped in that direction, about ONE MILE from
where il commenced, from the want of food to
feed its voracious NAV.
In the meantime, the Monongahela Bridge has
taken fire, and is entirely consumed. The Pitts
burgh Bank, supposed to be fire proof extend
ing from Sd 10 4th streets, is in flames The
Mayors Office is also on fire, and the new Post
Office is in great danger.
Let any one who is acquainted wit! Pittsburgh
survey this scene, and look over the extent Of
ground covered by this vast confagration. So
rapid did this fire progress, that at one time, be-
tween four and five o'clock, in the afternoon,
the fire was raging with undmihished fury, over
a space extending, beginning at Market ST. cor-
ner of 3D., down Market ST. 10 the river, up the
river 10 the upper end of Kensington or Pipe
town, opposite to Birmingham, down from Ken
sington 10 4th street, down Fourth street TO
Smithfeld, up Smithield TO diamond Alley, 10
the large brick Warehouse on Wood, across Wood
extending in diagonal direction toward the
Bank, up Fourth street to the Mayors Office,
and across 10 Third street, the place of beginning.
In all this vast space, the very heart of the
city, including most Of the warehouses of our
manufacturers, and our principal wholesale Gro
GERS and Commission merchants, there is not
one house standing that We know Of.
TWENTY SQUARES are entirely destroyed, and
several parts of squares, besides all Of Pipe
town, and all the buildings around Bakewell's
Glass works, which were also consumed
The loss of property must be immense. We
shall not attempt TO compute it. The fire spread
SO rapidly that it was impossible to save proper
ty. The Front Street Merchants, whose i'm.
mense warehouses were full of Goods, Groce.
ries, and Pittsburgh manufactures, removed their
goods 10 the wharf, which they covered over i,s
whole extent, down to the waters edge, but there
they caught fire, and the most of them were con.
sumed.
Among the public buildings destroyed are the
Pittsburgh Bank, the Monongabela House, the
Merchants Hotel, the Mayors Office, known as
Philo Hall, and ulIour Pittsburgh insurance of.
ices.
The Chronicle and Age Offices were removed
The Chronicle lost its presses The Presbyte.
rian Advocate and Protestant Unionist Offices arc
both destroyed.
BRt it is impossible for us 10 attempt to give
the particulars Of this dreadful calamity. Pitts
burgh has received dreadful blow, but VIC trus
she will again rise from her nshes