The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-04

tufys
The extension of the fire downward was
gradual. On the Sixth street side the flames
ran down the elevator, and seemed ON the
third story, but their progress appeared to be
slow. As they spread over the roof, the cor
nices on the east and west sides commenced
burning, and large fragments came thunder
ing down on the streets, causing considerable
danger to fremen and others.
II is said that as early as halfpast o'clock
the Chief of the Fire Department announced
that the building could not be saved, but it
was not for more than an hour after that that
the fact became apparent to the spectators.
The fire then began to work downwards, and
every moment gathered in fury. About half
past IL o'clock the flames were bursting
through all the upper windows. From room
to room they passed. gathering strength every
moment, until the whole building-no longer
on the roof, but in the interior, was a blazing
pile of fire. The scene at this time was OF
character which none who witnessed will ever
forget. The huge buldinglooked like vast fur
mace burning gwithintolerableh heat tandfury. The
countless windows gave insight to a whirliug
vortex of fire that streamed up with wind
like rushing sound, sweeping into the still
midnight air perfect avalanche of sparks and
fiery particles that were scattered far and near,
From the breaking cornice came showers of
blazing fragments that strewed the streets
with living fire; and every moment, from the
inside of the building was heard the crash of
breaking timbers and falling partitions. The
streets, as far as the eye could reach, were a
dense mass of humanity; and the ''sea of up
turned faces" showing in the red glare,
looked as if countless multitudes were watch
ing some dreadful catastrophe which APP
palled and afflicted all.
FALLING OF THE WALLS
At about II o'clock it became evident that
e a.. IL Il,
longer, and the police commenced clearing a
wider space on all sides around the burning
building. The crowds swayed slowly back
into the darker streets, and again pressed on
the lines with upturned faces full of interest
and wonderment. Now and then, at the falling
and crashing of floor or staircase, numbers
were seized with panic, and endeavored to
rush away on a double quick" but soon
turned, and their gaze became again fastened
in the scene with a sort Of weird fascination.
Pyramids of flame shot up from the roof to a
great height fiery tongues Tapped around the
cornices, and volumes of devouring fire poured
forth from every window in the vast edilice.
The air was still, and huge clouds of dark
smoke Gin which shone millions of sparks, like
golden stars) hung over the scene. At every
crash column of blacller smoke shot upward,
soon to be painted by the red glare.
The excitement was great, and the people
the walls which seemed inevitable. The light
rendered distinct the skeleton of the interior.
Partition walls were falling every moment,
and all was one grand illumination from the
basement to the roof The Fire Wardens, fire
men, and policemen fitted around in the inn
mediate vicinity like demons in the bottOmless
| pit. So they appeared to the spectators in the
streets and on the housetops. At length
| there was a great crash in the centre near
the main entrance, which filled the whole
| street Washington avenue) with fire and
smoke. There was a cry that the walls We're
| falling. The whole east end on Sixth street,
with a portion of Washington avenue front,
swayed, toppled, and fell with tremendous
| crash, which shook the buildings all around.
| This happened about III o'clock The inte-
| rest was now concentrated on the Seventh
street wall. 1t must soon succumb. Some
of the back walls on the Green street side had
already gone, and every particle of the wood
work was rapidly being consumed. AT about
II o'clock the middle portion of the west wall
crumbled down,a shapeless mass of ruins, and
the fire now lighted up scene OF completed
desolatiOn.
1t was rumored that several persons had
been lost by the falling of the Sixth street
'front.' but we presume it was without founda-
ton, as the street had been ettectually cleared
of spectators half an hour previous to the
crash of the wall. When we left the scene
nearly the whole of the Washington avenue
front was standing, but the fire had consumed
everything combustible about the building.
About the last thing that remained was pair
of lace curtains, which tiuttered i'll third
story window on the Seventh street and Wash
ington avenue corner, when everything else
appeared to have been swept away.
INCIDENTS.
As might be expected during the progress
| of the fire many curious and noteworthy
| incidents occurred. Thieves were, of course,
on the ground, and piled their occupation
| actively. A number of arrests were made by
! the police, and not a few scuties, etc.,
! occurred.
In the hasty removal of luggage and furni-
! ture of all ki nds not a few articles were lost.
SUPPOSED LOSS OF LIFE.
1t is not definitely ascertained that during
| the progress of the terrible contlagraton
| single life has been lost. There We're rumors
on the subject, but we could not trace them tC
any authentic source.
As the fire reached down to the first story, {
| number of explosions took place at intervals
whether from gas or caused by confined air
| we do not know. 1t is said that when one o
| these explosions occurred, two men were
throwing out goods from second story win
dow near Sixth street, and that they disap
| peared immediately after, but whether or moi
thew escaped we are unable to ascertain.
Ii is indeed to be hoped that the greatness
of the disaster is not to be still further in
creased by being connected with loss of life
and we are happy to say at present there i
no evidence that any occurred.
LOSSES, INSURANCE, ETC.
| Tho 1ossas b,y tbis fire will amouDt T.