The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-21
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DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN PHILADELPHIA.
IFrom the Philadelphia Ledger, Aug. ao,l

From the Philadelphia Ledger, Aug 20J
Yesterday afternoon, about two O'clock fire broke
out in large buding the first story of stone and three
stories of Frame situated Bdle street. between TWEEN
ty-fourth and Twenty fifth and occupied by Mr.. J. g.
Gerlach, wooen and cotton DYER which spread rapidly
and in very short time the entire frame was cnycopd
in flames The alarm promptly given, and the fire
companies located in the vicinity of the early
on the ground but owing to the combustblo nature Of
the building and the prevalence Of high wind It was
found impossible to check it, From the dyehouse
tended to frame building adjoining owned and
pied by Mr. Gerlach and small brick dwelling to the
east In little time an immense stone structure five
stories in height known Mc3rdes Mill, on Hamilton
street. Immediately south Of the dyekouse, and within
the enclosure took fire. and despite the united e
forts of the rcmen was enrcd destroyed. On the west
Of the building in which the fire originated is the cotton
mill of Mr.. Hood Simpson. The flames extended to this
and stone building used for warehouse, dye-housc
picking house, size room, engine room, warp room &c.
partially destroyed, together with large stock II
contained engine of eighty horse power and six boil
ers. The extent Of damage to these is not known.
Mr. Simpsons loss is fully covered by insurance Of
$40 900 in the Royal Pennsylvania and two other
panies The loss Of Mr. Gcrlach is very heavy, the dye
house containing large stock and considerable machine
ry. His engine Of twelve horse power two boilers, cg
teen kettles, and number of pipes were all Destroyer
not sken of yarn was saved nor could the workmen,
who in the building when the fire broke out
their garments which they had thrown off when they had
returned from dinner Mr. Gerach estimates his loss at
600, upon which he had insurance Of 500 The
large stone building had been last used for flour mill
for which it fitted up by Mcssrs CoInstock Co..
wcstcl firm and contained engine Of one hundred
horse-powc and six boilers, besides the necessary
chinery for grinding two hundred barrels of flour day
The fitting up Of the building is sad to have cost from
$4,000 to $40 O00 The mill has not been in operation
since last summer Messrs. Comstock Co. purchased
the mill property time since from the Mcbride fam
iIy and il is still held by them. The loss by the de-
stuction Of the machinery and the several buildings
neoted with the MILL as originally occupied is estimated
at $50, O00
Several dwellings in the immediate vicinity Of the fro
slightly damaged Tho occupants removed from
thcm and the furniture in the hurry to get out was
much broken. While the fire at its height the wind
blew the fakes upon the roofs Of several extensive cot
ton mills in the neghborhood and but for the proximity
of the Philadelphia steam engve to these 1t is believed
the damage would have been much more serious. The
fremen had difficulty in getting to the scene OF he
burning, owing to the fact that both Hamilton and Bid
die streets are being repaved.
On the return of the Wccacoe Engine Company, when
passing Broad and South Streets occurred, which
led to the arrest Of two men, who taken before Al
derman Iittermary and held for further hearing.