Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1871-10-27
9ela@ars Shuts gnurnal
From the Albany Evening Journal.
GREAT FIRES IN HISTORY.

Ii isno exaggeraiion 10 say that, consid-
eTod with reference TO Its immediate results
and remote consequences, the fire at Chicago
is the most destructive and disastrous con-
Migration of modern times, One or two
others may have exceeded tin the number
of houses consumed. But none compares
with IL in the destruction of wealth and the
crppling of commerce.
The great fire of London In 1866 ragged |
four days-Hume says three-and It's ruins
covered an area Of 436 acres. 1t destroyed |
80 churches and a number OF public puild- |
ings, besides IS, 200 houses. 1t laid waste |
400 streets, and 200, 900 people were com
PEELED 10 camp in Isllngton and Highgate |
fields. A violent east wind blew through
ont the time, and the wooden buildings
upon the narrow streets burned like finder
before the deyouring flames. In the end, II
moved blessing TO the city, which was
rebuilt in wider streets with substantial
structures. And while the plague had reg.
ulary visited 1t once or twice a century and
always luiked in its narrow and reeking
quarters, il became alter this fearful pnrglng
a far healthier metropolis.
London has had many extensive hres since,
but none approaching in magnitude either
its own great conhagraton or that at CHI
capo. One which preceded was more dis
asirous in the loss OF life than any other.
In 1919 a fire began near London Bridge,
of the river. OF those who threw themselves
into boats or into the stream about three
thousand were drowned. The same fire
consumed large part OF the city. The
memorable fire at Moscow IN 1S12-kndled
in five hundred places at once by order OF
the Russian Governor 10 prevent its occupa-
ton by NapOleOn-destroyed IL ,o4O houses,
besides palaces and churches.
Our own country has witnessed a number
of very destructive dies, but none approx
mating this last one. In l776 New York
sustained a fire which burned 500 buildings
In 1871 the theatre at Richmond was cos
sumed, and a large number of leading ciu'
zens persisted. The great fire OF New York
in 1885 DESTROYED 600 warehouses and prop
crty TO the amount Of $50, 0O0, 900. In 1886
Washington was visited by CONFEDERATION
which burned the General Post Office and
Patent Office, together with 10000 valuable
models and drawings. Two years ialel
Charleston, 5. c., lost Lbs buildings, III,
fire covering l4j acres The next year New
York sustained another fire with loss o
$4,000 900. In 1915, 1000 buildings IL
Piusburg, involving loss Of S6,0O0,OOO
were consumed by the fire hend. In MAY
of the same year, Quebec was visited by
connarfation which destroyed 1900 build
inrs and many lives. In less than mOnll
the same unfortunate city was again afflicted
losing that time 300 houses-in both fire
tNN-tulruS OF tue Nuult plhNts Ouiihb Wv
same fatal year, New York had a fire whicl
DESTROYED 3O2 stores and dwellings, 4 live
and 81. 0O0, 600 OF property, and ST. Johns
Newfoundland, one which left 5000 peopl
homeless. The next year unhappy Quebe
suffered sacrifice OF AZ lives ina fire whic
burned the Theatre Royal
The great fire in this city August 17tl
1s4S. destroyed G0J buildings, besides steam
boats. and other property, burning over
acres and entailed loss OF $4,000, 600. Th
same wear Brooklyn lost 200 houses in on
fire. In ls49 ST. Louis suffered in sing
copraciatiun, which destroyed 10 blocks,
the amount of 100000. In 1850 Phiade
phin had fire which burned $50 building
and at which % persons were killed,
drowned. aud l2O wounded. The nel
wear san Francisco sustained a loss oil ., 5I
stores. and dwellings and mauY lives, an
less than two months later another one
800 buildiucs-both together amounting
50 500, 00O The same year the Congresso
nl Library uf $4,000 volumes was deslroYe
IN lbj1 a are ia MAntreal burned down q
buildings with loss Of T5,JOJ,OOO. Syr
cuse suffered in 1885 to the amount OF ST
600 600 twelve acres being len mass
rufus. TIE great fire at Portland in ISL
by which Ia. 900 people were made houselt
and 81 Is, 600 600 OF property lost, is still IRE
in the minds OF the people. But terrible
some olthtse connlgrAuons seem, they sill
almost into insiguiicance compared wi
his last fearful desolalion which leaV
100, 600 people without a home, aud swee
away $4,000 OOu OF property.