The New York herald., 1869-04-20
THE DISASTROUS FIRE IN BALTIMORE.
Terrible Scene-Ome Fireman Killed md
Sixteen Injured.

Terrible Scenc-One Fireman Killed and
Sixteen Injured.
The Baltimore American OF the 18th gives The fol&
lowing particulars OF the disastrous connagraton id
that city on Saturday night, when, from the falling
of house, one fireman was killed ard sixteen ohera
injured:-
The burning house was very old structure, havY
ing been erected at a time when 1t stood upon tha
outskirts OF the city and Is said to have been ing
first built It was known as the York Road Hotel. ID
was a Drck structure, three stories high in 'front.',
with two story back building. On the north side
1t adjoined three story brick building and the
southern side was narrow alley. running back into
OF the houses which front Sharp street alley. on
the side towards the narrow private alley was very
above the roof. This was what is called a hanging
chimney-that is one without any foundation and
built into the walls.
building when the huge chimney swayed and fell in
wards and the immense weight Of the bricks which,
composed 1t falling upon the roof and floors Of thec
building, already weakened by the evouring names.
crushed them In as II they were made OF paper an
carrying the walls with them they were piled ur
into one confused heap OF bricks and charrei anT
sm0ulderfng ttmbers, from which tongues of fr0
every now and then famed upwards and inspired n
premonion OF the horrible fate OF the human bel
ings who were buried beneath tine ruins. NearlEl
every man who was In the building at the me Oh
the falling OF the walls was precipitated downward
INTO the cellar and hidden from sight and hearing
by the huge pile OF ruins. The entire front building
above the first OF bricks upon the ground noor
TIE KILLED AND WOUNDED.
The thunderous noise OF the falling building, thdi
shower OF sparks thai assembled from the burning;
timber and the avalanche OF bricks which poured
down into the narrow alley for few momentsi
mediate vicinity bnt they soon returned and began
to labor among the d brls for the recovery II
the bodies OF the dead and the succoring Of tho
wounded. At FIRST it was anticipated that scarce,y
man could have escaped with his life, so ter
they were imprisoned; but as the masses Of eacI
were delqed among and one after another OF thd
missing men were eXhuued alive IL was founl that
the extent OF the casualties had not been great as
was at first feared amid the general Excitement and
horror. lt was but slow progress that was madd
In digging through the ruins, and not until fvd
O'Clock on Sunday morning that the last body waa
taken out 4
AT the moment before the falling of the chimney
Mr.. William c. Ross. Assistant Chef Engineer of thd
Fire Department, was standing on one Of the upper
rungs OF ladder which was placed against thd
that tho chimney was about to fan he descended
fas 10 The sDrols Sssy Side as ard
building: lie stopped with his body close agsns; al
tended along the side walls of houses which front cd
Baltimore street. AT this moment the chimney fell
anE the n front int was npG pG IN an mense & pie & O.
mcndOus force against this railing and one Of tn@
sharp points penetrated his Lett breast about a9
inch below the nipple. The bricks and timoer which,
fell upon his limbs and the lower part of hia
body crushed him severely and held him fas9
prisoner until rescued by some of the hreS
men. lie was carried into a tavern near by, tnad
being the nearest pace where he could be piaceff
ana the aid Of Drs. 1fpobad, Warren and Bull pro.
cured. During Sunday afternoon nc was removed
to his home, Howard street, near barre. AZ latd
hour last night he was In a very precarious cUnd3
tion, but not suffering greatly, supor seeming I'd
have set IN. III
James Mcbride. an extra man OF No. Engine
Company. was on the seconl fioor OF the buildings
when II fell In. He was thrown to the cellar and
his neck broken by the violence Of the fall. HiH
body was not recovered until about 1--WE O'Clock on
Sunday morning. Mcbride was the only pcrsoR
Killed and Mr.. Ross the only one whose Injuries ar0
likely TO result fatally. There was, however,
quite number buried under the debris,
fifteen OF whom received greater or less injurieSs
SCENES ASD INCIDENTS.
Fortunately some OF the heavier timbers OF the
structure iel first, aud, together with the iosis which
supported the FIRST floor. kept open a small space IN
the cellar. Into which most OF the 1remcn were pre-
cpltated. Surrounded by walls Of intensely heated
bricks aud smoulderne timbers, which sorne-
times bazcd Into nanes, they were hudded togctheu
In small space, all suffering from their wonndss
the heat, the consequent suifocation and AMONG
them was the dead body OF Mcbride. stream of
water was kept constantly directed upon the spot.
and 10y cooling the mass of heated material furnished
the imprisoned men with enough fresh air TO pre-
serve them from being smothercd. The men undcr
the ruins Kept up their spirits bravely, and whef
theY were recovered from what had nearly beef
their tomb each seemed most ANXIOUS that the othera
should DTst be helped out.