Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-15
Great Fire in Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, July 10,


Ore oflhe most destructive fires that
has ever occurred in this city, was Witnessed
yesterday afternoon and evening.
1t first broke out at "a o'clock P. NJ, in
the 4th story of the store No. 10 North
Del aware Avenue, occupied for storage
purposes.
When discovered it had made consider.
able headway. The flames soon spread
in every direction. In very short time
it extended westward to Water street. and
spreading north and south from near Race
to Callowhill.
Three terrific explosions originated, as
is supposed, from 1000 bags of Saltpe,re,
stored in Brooks Warehouse, in Delaware
Avenue.
Delaware Avenue was completely filled
with q mass of human beings, among
whom were several hundred fremen.
The frs. explosion did not seem to
cause much excitement or fear with the
mass, nor did the second, except some
slight fears of safety, when they moved
towards the easternmost edge Of the
wharves.
The third explosion, however, was To-
tai in many cases, and proved the death
of men, women, and children.
On Delaware Avenue and Water street,
the scene was frightful.
When the third and last explosion Of
saltpetre occurred, the rush for life was
terrific. Men, boys firemen and bystand.
ers rushed away from the ruinous conf1a.
grafton, and endeavored to get beyond the
reach of danger. Hundreds rolled over
each other while running and jumping
upon the large quantity Of merchandise
on the wharf. Several persons were
knocked down as if dead, and hundreds
ran over them, causing legs and arms to
be broken. In the fright some of them
were thrown into the Delaware, and a
large number jumped in voluntarily, to
shield themselves from bricks and cinders
thrown from the burning stores.
The three stores above mentioned were
owned by Jno. Brock, and were occupied
by Rdgeway & Budd, Flour merchants.
From Delaware Avenue, has been de.
stroyed, the enumeration Of which occu'
pies column ofthe morning papers, and
the details Of suffering and sickness are
Distressing.
Amongst them are the following: The
remains of woman, two boys and two
girls, were taken to the N. E. Police
station house. They were shocking spec.
tacles. One of the girls, IA years old, &,
was recognized as Miss Drake.
A woman, burnt to. a crisp, was taken
to Drug store and died soon after, in the
greatest agony.
We learned that a daughter of James
Alexander had her head blown off
A little girl was picked up from the
gutter with her arm blown off.
A number of infants, some Of them not
months old, were shockingly burnt. We
saw one Of these children, with the mother,
pulled by the iremen form the ruins of a
building partially demolished.
There are supposed to be at least thirty
killed. Some ten more will probably Ole.
Total number Of wounded about one
hundred.
Judging from the extent Of the ground
covered by the confagration and the value
Of the property consumed. we venture te
compute The loss at FOUR MILLIONS.
At all events, it is the most extensive
FIRE that ever happened in our city.
No praise can do justice to the conduc
of the fremen. Their feats Of daring
elected bursts of applause.
The arms of the Vigilant, which a, the
time held most periious position, were
knocked off, and the Southwark hose wa:
nearly buried. Is.
A member of the United States Engine
saved his life by a bold feat at Knights
iron store.
We might go on filling column with
incidents. .
The fire companies of Camden, Yves
Philadelphia, Frankford, Manayunk and
Germantown responded to the alarm, and
reached the con1agra,ion, in time to render
important services.
The U. S. Marines from the Navy
Yard were on the ground, and rendere,
good service.
The city and county police were very
efficient.
Houses were set on fire at the distanc.
o. six squares, and it was only by thu
constant wetting Of the roof tha, they wer'
saved.
The 6remen deserve credit for preven
ting the flames from crossing secons
street.
At1 o'clock this morning, when w
left the scene, the fire had been got com
pletely under control by the firemen, ant
there appeared no danger of the fame.
making further progress.
3o'clock, A. M.
The firem,n are still at work. NJ
further spread is anticipated.
FHther from PHILADELPHIA.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuly 10, Al P. NJ.
The Coroner this morning held an in
quest over Is dead bodies, and is still en-
gagged. Many are so mangled and charre ee
that their nearest relatives cannot identify
them.
A number Of persons are still missing.
The scene OF the confagration presents