The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-25
BY TELEGRAPH
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN BALTIMORE
ASSISTANCE A ASKED FOR
THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL
FOur Squares Burned Oyer--Sixty
Families Rendered HOme1ess-Many
Large Buildings DestrOyed--ArrivRl
of Washington Engines.
Especial TO The State Journal. ]

Especial to the State Journal.1
BALTIMORE, July pa disastrous
fire broke out this morning in the large
planning mill of Thomas & Sons, corner of
Park and Clay streets. Owing to strong
southwest wind which was blowing, the
flames spread rapidly to adjoining build
ings. 1t seemed at first as if Baltimore
was to be visited with calamity like that
SO recently experienced by the cities of
Boston and Chicago AT IL o'clock some
fifty houses were in flames and the firemen
were endeavoring to keep it within the
boundary Of Clay, Park, Charles and Null
berry streets. Shortly after the fire broke
out one loud report gave notice
that the boiler Of the engine in the factory
of Thomas & Sons had exploded. The
flames formed a perfect whirlwind, DASH
ing up wild and lurid, and casting their
heat in every direction with nnrelenting in
tensity. The thousands of spectators
were driven from point to point as the
fire extended, and the firemen worked in
constant danger. A breeze which pre-
vailed added to the strength and intensity
ofthe flames. and carried shingles and other
burning material to the roofs of buildings in
the approximate neighborhood and to some
squares beyond Park street. From Lexing
ton to Sarotoga is in flames, every house
being on fire down Clay to Liberty
street; and in the rear Of Liberty street
from Lexington to the church, corner of
Liberty and Saratoga streets, the back
buildings are burning. Liberty street to
Saratoga street is impossible with wagons,
&C., filled with furniture that owners are
trying to save, Women and children fill
the street bewailing the threatened DESC
lations of their homes.
LATER.
BALTIMORE, July 25.-The fire is still
raging and rows of citizens are passing
buckets of water to each other where there
is no engine stationed. Although the rep
utation of the fire department is known
everywhere it is so far inadequate to check
the flames in this case, and that fact, added
to the rumor of the water supply failing.
causes the utmost excitement. Assist
ance has been asked for from neighbor-
ing cities, and. two engines have been sent
from Washington by special train.
'H THIRD DIsPATCH.l
BALTIMORE, July 25-3 P. M.-Fire
still raging. Sixty houses burned to the
ground, and as many families rendered
houseless and homeless. The wind is blow
ing slight gale, and unless it changes it is
certain the amount of damage will nearly
equal that of the Boston fire. The usual
panic generally attendant under such cir
cumstances is not much seen here, but
all seems in confusion and tumult.
Four squares have been laid low thus far,
including st. Alphonse's school and many
other large buildings. The boundary of
the fire now seems to be Lexington, Clay.
Howard and Mulberry streets. The WASH
ington fire-engineshave arrived here, maxi
ing the trip in forty minutes. The fire
has now re cached the Central Presbyterian
church. All the furniture in the houses
in that locality has been removed.
FOURTH DISPATCH.1
BALTIMORE, July 25-4 P. M.-The
fire is now reported to be under control.