The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-03-12
Fire im Cleveland.

AT eleven o'clock to-day, smoke was dis.
covered issuing from the north end of the
new Stone Church, above the pulpit, and il
soon burst into fame and ignited the whole
interior, the ceiling aud frame. e.work support.
ing the heavy slate roof, and before the
slightest effort could be made to stay its pro.
gress after the alarm was given, the i'm.
mense structure was enveloped in flames. -
The fire is attributed TO the defective fiues
in the furnaces. The northwest wind drove
the flames with tremendous fury, toward the
splendid epre and tower at the south end,
and in less than half an hour, every portion
OF the interior was one terrific bonfire, pour.
ing forth from windows and towers. As
soon as the framing of the roof had become
somewhat weak, the heavy stating came
down with tremendous creashes, endanger-
ing the lives OF many people engaged in re
moving the furniture. za ~ ~ ~ g.
twas rumored at one iime, that four men
had been killed by the falling Of the organ
in the south gallery, but we believe this was
not true. The 6remen could do no more
than prevent the 'adjnining buildings from
being destroyed, and they fearIessly worked
on these roofs, although a. the flames mount.
ed the toll spire $50 feet into the air, it
threatened to overwhelm then in lie fall
From the beginning il was apparent to every
one ofthe thousand spectators that the spire
must fall. Itwas constructed of wood, GOV.
cred with tin, and the tallest in the city,
il presented a fearfulIy sublime picture as
the deyouring flames wrapped ils basc In
sheets Of firc, or burst In streams OF dense
smoke from its windows, and wreathed its
summit. The houses east and west Of the
church were in emminent danger, but thanks
to the north wind which gave it direction,
il fortunately fell in the public square with
. laundering crash, and piled upa mass Of
burning timber, thirty feet high, the wreck
OF one Of the most beautiful structures ever
executed BY the architect and builders. -
The IN ,versai expression OF the citizens is
one Of sympathy for the congregation, and
its noble hearted pastor, Rev. DR., Aiken,
who lying upon a sick bed, must hear the
sad news with almost breaking heart -
The church had been completed less than
two yeafs, at q cost Of $4,000. II is pos
sible that o portion OF the walls may be used
for new strpcture. The insurance obtain.
ed upon the building covers $50 900, but the
| actual loss must be $4,000 more. Itwas
insured in The Etna and Home Insurance
Companies, Hartford. for $4,000. in each;
Girard 2,e00; Lorillsrd 80 300: Corn Ex.
change $4,000; Cleveland Mutunl $4,000;
Conf Mutual S6 900; Liverpool & London
| % 600, irving % 600. Total $4,000. A
We understsnd that the Sexton had built
. IRE this morning In the furnace situated
nnder the ehapel st the north end Of the
building, and that q plumber from 8. c.
Whitaker's, Wafer street, had been engaged
just before the a:arm. III repairing the tin
/ work, but no blame can attach to any indi.
vidusl except the officers OF the church, whc
should have tskea the warning which had re-.
peatedly been given, that the furnace was in
a dangerous co1ditIon.-F. DeGler, March I.