, 1866-04-12
FIRE At THE WASHINGTON AR
SENAL.
A DlsaEtrona ConRagEaslon 100000
Stnnd or AFmh Desaruy yed-A Singular
Scenc-Rcftl Of LOokeFa.ou.


Stnnd of AFma Desaruy ed-A Singular
Scenc-Fcrti Of lookeFs-on.
From the Washington Chronicle, 7.h ius..1
About O'Clock last night a fire broke ont
In laboratory IN the arsenal grounds, and,
aided by a brisk breeze, spread TO IN adjoin-
ing warehouse, which WIS soon In bright
blaze, the flames lighting up the heavens for
miles around. The fire was first discovered
by a sentinel on duty, who beheld an im-
mense mass Of flame burst through the roof
Of Browns laboratory, which was filed
with materials Of most combustible na.
turc. He discharged bis musket, and q
Watehmnn rang the alarm-bell In the
yard, which speedily brought the officers Sta
toned at the pos: iiaud many of the employee.
to the spot. An alarm was soon sounded
from box Sc at the arsenal gate, and in short
time the engines made thei1 appearance. The
hook and ladder carsiagc and the franklin
and Columbia engines arrived first and inrne-
diAtely proceeded to the scene OF the con0a~
grafton. The other engines soon arrived at
the gate. but the sergeant in charge of the
guard obstinutc]y refused to permit them to
entcr, and consequently they we're detained
dsss were received from Colonel Benton to
admit them. -.
The fire originated in Browns laboratory,
as before stated, and In consequence Of the
htlammable, nature Of Its contents and those
Of the warehouse. both buildings were wrap
ped IN flames before the arrival Of the en-
gines- The warehouse contained nearly a
hundred thousand stand Of small aEms, which
had been stored In the building since the end
Of tho rebellion, an immense quantity Of
acoutrements packed In wooden b0xes, and
quantity Of valuable machinery which had
once been used at the Harper's Ferry arsenal,
captured by the rebels, and at the close OF the
rebellion:recaptured BY the Union forces.
A small magazine adjoining was In imnt-
nent danger, being partially hlled with pow
der. Col. Benton ordered it to be flooded,
nf1er which the powder and other. contents
were removed to anfe distance by the en-
ployes, large number Of whom were pres
ent to render assistance In preventing the
spreading Of the flames.
As the muskets contained In the warehouse
became heated BY the intensity Of the flames,
tho crack of musket shots WIS., occasionally
heard, and the balls were also heard whIzzing
through the air In all directions, causing q
rnpid dispersion OF tho crowd collected
s1eepoa the o la'E ns ensn ns Eho With a,es 1s
remained at their posts OF duty, 4
number Of persons arc reported wounded by
flying bullets. Among them was Engineer
Orr, OF the steamer Rucker, who WAS shot in
the left knee; Andrew Kreiger, an employe
at The arsenal, who was also wounded In The
1eTl knee. The wounded men were taken to
the post hospital, where they received ilnme-
date attention from Surgeon Porter, in
charge.
Through the almost superhuman exertions
Of the fsrenlcn, the flames were prevented
from communicating 70 the extensive lumber
piles, directly to leeward Of the burning
buildings, otherwise the fire would have con-
snmed the lumber, and might possibly have
extended to several extensive warehouses,
stored With ammunition.
The origin ol the fire is at present unknown,
and the foreman In charge of the laboratory
asserts that no fire had been permitted in T.
nae9 au9 on a G 10 basd a
fireworks, but until the matter is thoroughly
investigated nothing positive can be learned,
Colonel Benton, In Ills usual fearless manner,
was present N the most dangerous positions,
aiding and directing, and It WAS largely ow-
Ing TO bis efforts that the flames were confined
To sucu a QslmpNIntiYeIY limited space.