Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1848-08-26
Fire ut Albany, IN. Y.)-Awful Destruction
of Property.

One of the most destructive Fires that we have
ever heard of in this country (grcatcr than that in
New York, 25th Dec, ls35)-occurred at Albany,
in New York, on Thursday of last week, In broad
dav. The following is from the Albany Argus:
Our city is literally desolatc. A fire broke out at
about noon Yesterday (Aug. ny in stable in the
rear of the Albany Hotel, corner OF broadway and
Herkimcr-st. between Broadway and the river. Inc
wind was gale from the south, the heat OF the
weather and the fire intense, and every thing dry
and combustiblc In an inconccvably short time the
fire spread over a wide surface, prostratins every
thing before it. The efforts of the firemen, aided
bv the Troy, West Troy, Grcenbush, Arsenal and
Schenectady companies, were directed as wen as
thev could be under such appalling circumstances,
but they were powcrlcss against such an amazing
force of fame of raging wind, and the fierce heat
of the wide spreading and all consuming element.
The fire was not arrested till after in the alter
noon: and only then by providenta change of wind
which threw the current of flame back upon its vast
track of devastation, followed by heavy and drench-
ing rain This alone preserved to the city all the
business and commercial portion OF 1t that has es
capped.
FuIJ FOUR HUNDRED BUILDINGS are consumed, and
property probably not less than TWO OR THREE MIL
LIONS, although no estimate OF value Is yet attain
able We hear of two forwarding lines that csti-
mate property under their charge TO the amount OF
900. 900, all consumed. Another line suffers to an
amount from s. 900 to 900. The loss oil Hour
afoat and in store is not less than 10000 barrels.
The area of the fire embraces many acres, per
haps fifty or sixty, of the most compact and valuable
part of the city 1t includes at least twenty squares
Amid the ruins which everywhere meet the eye, II
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 calamous visitation, by few
gencralites.
broadway from the intersection of Hcrkimer, to
tbe south corner of Hudson street the west sIde
and TO Van Schaack's variety store the east side
nearly half mile, is, with all its structures and
stores. including the Eagle Tavern, the Townsend
House, and the United States Hotel, level with the
earth. =. =,
of lofty stores on Quay-s throughout nearly the en-
tire space above mentioned, all is a heap OF ruins.
All the cross streets entering Broadway, Herki-
mer. Blocker, Lydius, Hamilton, Division and Hud-
SON west as far as Union and Dalius- sts are swept
away. 81, -, -
filled, caught the Columbiast. Market, and OF that
large structure nothing remains.
But the scene Of the most striking and absolute
dcsoIation is the Pier. Scarcely vesuge OF IL re-
mains Throughout its entire length from Hamilton
street to the cut opposite the Boston depot 1t Is utter
Iv consumed, including the wharves, ware houses,
nearly all the shipping in the Basin and outside me
Pier. tow boats, barges, canal boats, huge floating