Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-07-19
Great Fire and Loss of Life at E'hiladeI-
phia.

phia.
PHILADELPHIA, July 10.
One of the most destructive fires that has ev-
er occurred in this city took place yesterday af-
ternoon and evening. The fire first broke out
about half past o'clock p. NJ, in the 4th story
of building occupied for storage, on Delaware
Avenue When discovered it had made consid-
cradle headWay-the flames spread TO Water ST.,
and North and South to Callowhill street.
A terrible explosion occurred from 5000 bags
Saltpetre in Brooke's Warehouse. Delaware
Avenue was completely filled with mass of hui
man beings among whom were several hundred
of our noble-hearted firemen. The first explo-
sion did not cause much excitement or fear with
the mass. Nor did the second, except some
slight fears for safety, when they moved to the
eastern end of the Avenue. The third explosion
however, was fatal in many cases, killing many
on Delaware Avenue and Water street. The
scene was frghtfully appalling in the extreme
The rush for life was terrific. Men and Boys
firemen and bystanders rushing away from the
ruinous confagration; and in their endeavors to
get beyond danger, hundreds rolled and run over
each other while running over to large quantity
of merchandise on the dock, causing legs and
arms to be broken; and injuries and fractures of
serious character.
woman, burned to a crisp, was taken to a
drug store, and died shortly afterwards We
heard that daughter of Jas. Alexander had her
head blown off, A little girl was picked up in
the gutter with an arm blown Off A number
of infants, some not more than three months old,
were shockingly burned. We saw child with
its mother pulled from the ruins OF building by
Vigilant fireman
There are supposed to be at least some 80 kill
Cd and some ten more will probably die of their
wounds The total lumber of wounded cannot
be less than 100.
Judging from the extent of the ground cover
ed by the fire, and the nature of the property con-
sumed, we venture to compute the damages at
81 OOO, 900! At all events it is the most extern
sive and destructive fire that ever happened in
this city.
In the fright some were thrown into the Della
ware; while large number rushed voluntarily
into the river to escape the bricks and cinders
thrown from the burning houses.
The stores above mentioned were owned by
Mr.. Brooke, and were occupied by Rdgway &
Buhd, Flour and Commission Merchants Jacob
F. Leving Warder & Brugher, Hay and straw
establishment; Waetall & Shannon, Sail-ma-
kers.
The list of persons whose property has been
DESTROYED, occupies column of the morning pa
pers, and the details are sickening to peruse.-
The remains of a woman, two boys and two girls
were taken to the NJ E. Police station house.
They were shocking spectacle. One of the girls
IA years old was recognized asa Miss Drake
No phrase cando justice to the conduct of the
firenen Some perilled life, almost too rashly
and their feats of daring and gallantry elected
frequent outbreaks of applause. Some of the
companies had their apparatus much damaged
The 'sVigilant' engine held perilous position at
the time Of the explosion, and had its arms blown
off The Southwark engine was totally destroy
ed. Buildings were set on fire for the distance
of six squares, and it was only by wetting the
roofs that the fire was prevented from spreading.
AT one o'clock, when we left the fire had been
completely got under by the firemen
Five buildings were destroyed by fire at tn e
corner of Fifth and Market streets. One of the
fire companies, returning from the fire, was dam
aged Several were wounded. One Of the at
lacking party was MORALLY wounded.