Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-07-17
Volume VII, Number I6.
Whole Number -328.

the citizens have removed their goods, and
are removing them, and The scene is fear
fui TO behold. The whole north side Q.
the pavement is covered with household
goods OF various kinds, all piled together
in wild confusion. Many articles are be-
ing thrown from the windows, no; by the
owners. for they appear 10 have left all TO
the protection of the citizens. and hurried
off to place of safety. The fire is burn
ing rapidly on Second street at Vine, and
much valuable property on Second street.
has fallen prey TO the deyouring element.
The destruction of property has been i'm
mense. and the heviest loss will no doubt
fall upon the Insurance Companies.
HALF-PAsT ELEVEN, p. M.-We lave
just learned that the fire will not probably
extend further than it has-nor;h Of tie
south side Of Callowhll street, and west
of Second street,east side. Hundreds of
families are made homeless by this terrible
calamity. At IL o'clock the fire was sub
dued. and The fi remen were returning from
the awful scene.
A number Of drays were standing on
Vine street wharf and along Front street,
a, the time Of the explosion, when the
horses became frightened, and rushed mad.
ly tbroug h the terro:-.tricken crowd. We
have no doubt that many have been injured
in this way. who attributed their wounds
TO the scattered fragments OF the building.
The flames Of the conhagraiion were
distinctly seen al Wilmington, Trenton,
and Chester.
Cause Of the Explosion the first
aanr nj Rocks store. we learn, large
quantity Of birthstone and saItpetre was
stored. which becoming ignited simulane-
ously. caused the terrific explosion so des-
tructive to human life and the Surrounding
property.
The North American says: The fire
ragged with great fury, and the fremen,
who were promptly on the spot, notwith-
standing the narrowness Of Water street
which rendered it difficult 10 reach the i'm
mediate scene Of the confagralion, would
have succeeded in mastering ii but tor
terrible explosion which occurred about
half an hour after the fire began. To
give an idea of the scene that followed this
calamity is impossible. As soon as the
flames reached the salipetre in the store
room of Mr.. Brock, several successive re-
ports we're heard. and finally tremen-
douS eapivsivu took e!aoo. reresdinp terror
and destruction around. The force ot the
explosion was lateral, shattering the walls
OF the building, but it spent itself principally
IN an upward direction, carrying aiih ii
into the air, 10 the height Of three hundred
lee,, large burning masses OF combusiib!es.
with bricks, joists, etc.
A heavy girder was thrown sheer Up
abou. one hundred ieer, and fell upon ore
of the opposite houses in Front street.
breaking through the roof and buryinS ant
in nurnn some of the inmates, who were
ingaged in removing their effects. Al this
momeu, there was about three thousand
persons on The ground and the spectacle
of fright and confusion, and the waiiing
and screaming of women aud childGen,
made up a scene Of horror beyond descrp-
ton.
Many of the firemen were thrown, with
their pipes In their hands, from the roofs
OF the surrounding houses, and others
knocked down from the engines, aud some
Of them burned or iaceraied in dreadlut
manner.
The force Of the explosion, and the H.
tense heat and fury ol The flames, as 1t
burst out on all sides, were attended with
lamentabIe loss of life. Several men, wo-
men and children were instantly killed.
numbers frightfuIly scorched, and dread
fully burned and mangled while many
others were hurled into the docks, some ci
whom were drowned.
INCIDENTS.
Mos, Appalling Scene.-A most painful
spectacle was presented at The Cherry
street station house, "Wednesday evening.
A large woman was lying upon the flour
in the cold embrace OF death. Her clothes
had been burn, of, and her body bore the
horrid marks of The FIRE. Her limbs were
drawn up. as ii from agony. and the palr-
iuI expression Of her face told OF the SUI
fering which she had experienced.
BJ her SHE on scorched mattress wers
lying three boys. They were terribly
burned. In removing them they had been
rolled together. and in attempting 10 sepa
rate them their charred flesh fea from their
bones. They were removed 10 The Green
House, and are insluded IN the number OF
victims which we have already eiveu.
These unfortunate creatures were the os-
,,,oapts or n hr,nse in " a.pr street onp =