Washington sentinel., 1853-12-13
@fnfral SatelIiaente.
The New York Confagration-Har Es-
tabIishment I'm Ashes.


Fysnkln square Yesterday afternoon was the
scene Of one of the most disastrous confagrations
which we have been called upon 10 record for a
long time Several buildings We're, within few
hours transformed from gigantic warehouses into
smouldering ruins, and hundreds OF artisans and
workmen engaged in comfortable occupations
were, within the same time, robbed OF employ
ment and thrown destitute upon the world The
fire commenced little after one O'Clock in the at
ternoon in the extensive publication establishment
of Harpers Brothers, Just as the employees OF the
place were resuming their labors after the dinner
hour. There were, yesterday, numberless rumofs
as TO the cause of the confagration. The most
common. and perhaps, the most reliable, however,
is that boy dropped lamp into the camphene in
the engine room when il was being used for wash
ing the rollers of the printing presses. Ihls ac-
counts for the sudden spread OF the flames, IN an
instant almost wrapping the entire establishment
in one sheet of flame. The building being filled
with paper and matter of a light and combustible
nature the ignition from roof to basement was al
most like the flashing of powder. To use the Ian
guage of one Of the police officers on the ground
at the time: /" When the report OF lire was first
given, went 10 work carrying out books, &c,
bent on saving as much possible. While was
taking the first armful across the street could see
no smoke or nothing else that looked like fire, and
thought bucket of water had ended the affair.
In less than minute looked towards the build
ing again, and flames were pouring out OF every
window from the roof TO the lower hoor3
AT about two o'clock the sight was awfully
grand By this time nothing was standing of
Harpers' immense warehouse but the outside
wallis and within these the angry flames We're
sporting like infant demons. II looked like one
huge cup Of liquid flames, foaming and swelling,
and tossing TO and fro, in reality lake of fire.
At this hour the apprehension OF the spectators
was truly horrible. There was no reason TO doubt
the destruction of many blocks in this vicinity.
The wind was very high, and huge Goals OF hre
were carried of TO the distance OF Becknan street,
and even there fell thick and fast upon the
roofs of buildings and the heads of spectators.
( From Harpers buildings the flames ignited with
the opposite side of Perl street, although very
wide at this place, and for time there was every
appearance that this block would be licked up by
the increasing fire. ts EL
II was not many minutes after the first report Of
the fire, before an immense concourse OF our citl-
zens assembled at the of the disaster, filling
up for long distance every street and avenue lead
ing TO Franklin square. With the speed of electro
city the report was echoed from tongue 10 tongue
throughout the city, that Harpers' establishment
was burning down. Every one who had mo-
ment to spare Immediately directed his footsteps
towards the spot, anxious 10 know for certain
whether this extensive establishment was the seat
of the FIRE. The volumes of smoke which rolled
up in the air were immense.and dark. Soon after
the fire heavy cloud of smoke hung over the
city, filing many Of the down town streets to a
the only topic of conversation from the Battery
to Harlem. /" Harpers' are burning down" said
our first informant, at about hafpast one O'Clock /;
(" Harpers' are in ruins" said the second, in less
than half an hour aflerward. aa
During the afternoon there were various reports
as to the number of accidents and loss of life. Al
one time the rumor was that at least half dozen
females were buried beneath the ruins. Many
were to be found, who had seen several others.
who had seen any quantity of dead and dying
carried this way and that There was no one 10
be found who had seen such sights themselves.
Upon strict inquiry we were happy TO learn that
all these reports were gronndless.
There Were many miraculous and hair-breadth
escapes, but no lives are known TO be lost. The
only reported injury which we could place any
faith in was tha, young lady, through her fright
had jumped out of the fifth story window and
broken both her legs
At late hour in the evening this was denied.
We believe the truth is, a young lady did Jump
out of one of the windows, but escaped without
any serious injury.
Another young lady had her dress take fire,
and saved herself only by stripping il of, when
she was taken up by officer MastersVf OF the
chiefs Office, and conveyed to house on the OPP
poste side of the street This, we are happy 10
say is, far heard from, the extent of the. re-
cord of accidents and injuries usually attendant
upon such disasters as that Of yesterday.