The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-02
Scenes ofThrilling and Curious Interest.

Scenes OF Thrilling and curious Interest.
But yesterday we printed the annual report of
the Fire and Police Telegraph operators, and
chronicled with satisfaction the gratifying fact
that during the past year only two general
alarms had been rung. To-day we are called
upon to record one of the most destructive con-
hagrations that has visited Philadelphia for
many years. Last evening was the fifteenth
anniversary of the great fire when Hart's build
ing and the Shakespeare building, and other
contiguous property around Sixth and Chestnut
streets, were reduced to ruins. On that occasion
the weather was so extremely cold that the hand.
engines and the water i'll the hose became
frozen. Many OF the fremen we're badly frost
bitten, and several persons were killed. The
recurring anniversary last night will henceforth
be scarcely less memorable.
About halfpast IL o'clock this morning, when
Chestnut street was well-nigh deserted by the
gay throngs of promenaders that had been out
ITO see New Years night" curl of flame was
seen issuing from a second story window of the
immense tour-stOred stone building No. 607
Chestnut street. The first story was occupied as
the office of the Howard & Harnden Express
Company. The second floor was tenanted by
j. II. Simons, manufacturer of and dealer in
photographers chemicals and materials. The
basement was occupied as a wine cellar by
Richard Penistan. The entire building had
passed into the possession of the Bulletin Asso-
citation. 1t was about to be converted into a
newspaper and printing office, and to that end
extensive alterations had been projected.
When the curl of flame was seen the cry of
"Frel Fire !" rang out on the still night air. and
dozen men, all breathless with excitement, ran
to the Central Police Station only a SQUARE dis
tant. Scarce half minute had elapsed ere the
deep tones of the State House bell were booming
the alarm throughout the length and breadth of
the sumbering city.
AT the Central Station there was, as there
always is at this unreasonable hour a large
force OF the corps reportorial present, waiting
for something to "turn up.n The news that a
Clothing Store fire Of
the liveliest feelings of solicitude in the bosoms
OF the fraternity, who, one and ALL rushed to the
rescue Many of them, unmindful of their pro-
tesslonal duties in such an emergency, lent all
their energies to the saving Of the goods. The
police officers, too, large force of whom were
Immediately on hand, exelted themselves to the
utmost, amid scorching flames and sitting smoke,
to rescue as much of the portable property as
possible.
A number of the most active ana efficient fire
companies in the city are located in tHis vicinity,
and three minutes had scarcely elapsed from
the outbreak of the flames before hose-carrlages
and snorting engines came rafting and d&shng
10 the scene of tumult The stout doors were
broken in with vigorous axes, and the thick
black smoke poured out,
Immediately that ingress to the burning build
ing was obtained, great stacks of overcoats,
armloads of doeskin and cashmere pants, vests
OF the latest cut and richest material were seized
npon, and carried off violently TO the police sta
ton. A few soulless thieves of course were pre-.
sent-they never fail to see an opportunlty-and
attempted to appropriate new suits to their pri.
yate uses. The police officers, however, amid all
the confusion and excitement of bells ringing,
and smoke rolling, and men shouting, and flames
roaring and cracking, kept their eyes and wits
about them, and arrested three of the thievish
individuals.
In FIVE minutes time Chestnut street, for several
squares, was Babel of steam engines and appa-
ratus of every kind, Front and rear Ghe fremen
attacked the flames with axes, ladders and most
powerful streams of water. When the heavy
win nTUE hah hrnlr in Ia,,
the flames burst forth in terrific fury. The lad
ders of the Washington Hose Hook and Ladder
Company took fire, and the men were forced to
tall back for moment but speedily they had
their ladders reset, and torrents of water were
poured into the devoted building, but with little
effect.
An immense storage of goods was on the
ground and second floors of the building in which
the fire broke out, and as the greater portion OF
the packages were inclosed in pine boxes and
were of light and combustible material the
flames spread rapidly. The fremen had no OPP
portuntty whatever to eXtinguish the flames
until they had acquired such headWay that it
was matter of imposs bilty.
At one o'clock tue scene became one of impos.
ing grandeur. The burning building was very
I high, and the flames lowered tar above, showing
cinders and fiery flakes for squares around. The
State House bell at this time rang a general
alarm, aud stTaightway all the engines and hose
carriages in the city were speeding to the spot.
The carrying out of the clothing and other
goods still continued. All the offices in the
|'Rown were thrown open for their storage. and
even independence Hall became a depot of
reception temporarily.
By a quarter to o'clock the building No COZ
Chestnut streel had been completely gutted
Then the cornice and the upper portion of the
A front wall fell outward with terrible crash,
and cry of alarm ran through the crowd. In
apprehension that loss of life was involved in
the unexpected accident. So far as we have
heard, however, the apprehension was un-
founded.
The buildings on the south side of Chesnut
street now became much heated, and heavy and
continuous streams OF water were poured upon
them with good effect.
There would seem to be scarcely doubt that
the fire originated in the second story OF No. go,
Chestnut street. occupied by Mr.. Simons.
large quantity of chemicals were stored in thi
place, and shortly after the fire was discovered
number of explosions were heard, which !
supposed to have proceeded from these chemi
Gals, and to have scattered the fire IN al
dreCions.
The establishment of Liniord E& Lukens
Co., at thel corner of Sixth and Chesnu
streets, is total wreck, the doors and window
being entirely demolished. The fire did not e1
tend to this store, and consequently their los
aTis es principally from stealage and the damag
done to the goods by removal. The light good
appropriate TO a gentleman's furnishing stoI