The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-08-26
Dreadful Conflagration in Alba
nv.

| MosT OF THE BUSINESS PoRTIoN OF TIE
/ Cry IN RUINs.--Our city is literally desolate.
4 fire broke out at about noon yesterday, in
n stnble IN the rear of the Albion Hotel, cor
ner of Broadway and lerkimer street, be-
tween Broadway and the river. The wind
was II gale from the South, the heat of the
weather and fire intense, and everything dry
and combustibc. In an incouceivabIy short
time, the fire spread over wide surface,
prostruting every thug before it. The efforts
ot'the firemen, aided by the Troy, West Troy,
Grccnbugh, and Schenectady companies,
were directed as well as they could be TN
der such appalling circumstances, but they
were powericss against such an amazing
force Of flame. ofraging wind, and the fierce
heat ofIhe wdc-spreading and all-consuming
element
The fire was not arrested until ) O'Clock in
the afternoon; and only then by providen-
tial change Of wind, which threw the cur
rent Of fame back upon its vast track Of de-
vastaton, followed by n heavy and drcnchng
rain. This alone preserved to the city all the
business and commercial portion fit that has
escaped.
Full FOUR HUNDRED BUILDINGS are con-
sumed, and property probably not less than
TWO OR THREE MILLIONS, although no esti-
natc of value is yet attainablc.
The urea of the fire embraces many acres,
perhaps fifty or sixty, of the most compact
aad valuable part of the city, 1t includes at
least twenty squares. Amidst the ruins
which everywhere meet the eye, it is difficult
to trace the outlines of the former state of
things; but those familiar with the city, will
perceive the extent of this most calamtous
visitation, by few generalties.
Broadway. from the intersection of Ilerki-
mcr, To the south corner of Hudson street, on
ln !. Il G,I,. >,
store OF the east side, nearly half mile, is,
with all lis structures and stores, including
the Eagle Tavern, lhesTownsend House, and
The United States Hotel, level with the earth.
From Broadway to the river, including the
ranges OF lofty stores on Quay street, through
ont nearly the entire space above mentioned,
all is Il heap ofruins.
All the cross streets entering Broadway,
Herlimer Bleecker, Lydius Hamilton, Di-
vision and hudson, west rs far as Union and
DaiIins streets, are swept away. Amazing
effort preserved Goods great carriage and
coach establishment every thing on the sur
rounding streets being demolished.
North, the flying ciuders, with which the
air WAS filled, caught the Columbia street
Market, and of that large structure nuthng
remains. The adjacent buildings were saved
10y the prompt efforts of the two Schcuecta-
dy fire companies.
But the scene ofthe most striking and ALSO
lutc deSoaion is the Pier. Scarcely yes
tige Of it remains. Throughout its entire
length from Hamilton street to the cut OPP
posiie the Boston depot, it is utterly con
suned, including the whurves, ware houses
nearly all the shipping in tile Basin and out
side the Pier, low boats, barges, canal boats,
huge floating warehouse arks, with all their
valuable and vast contents ofgoods and pro-
duets. the three bridges at Columbia. State
and Hamilton streets, lumber yards, flour
stores, in short every thing that hoated or
tcemed with life aud value in that great mart
yesterday morning.
We regret to learn that several lives have
hecn lost. Two men were drowned in the
Basin, near the foot Of Maiden Lane They
were floated OH n raft, and in the midst ofthe
conhagratop, fell off and sunk.
Some 8 or 10000 barrels Of flour were
burned on the Pier.
Hundreds OF our bushes men are utterly
ruined.
-Four buildings were blown up with pow
der.
Amount Of insurance on property DESTROY
ed sos, 2O0.-.4ibany argus.