New-York tribune., 1873-07-26
GREAT FIRE IN BALTIMORE
TEN BLOCKS RAyAGED BY THE FLAMES.


DURNED-sNGULAR DESTRUCTION OF ROOFS.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNEL
BALTIMORE, July ga destructive fire broke out
this morning, IN the square of which Howard aud
Lexington-stS. form the southwest corner, and
swept diaCoually through TO the Cathedral, on the
corner of Cathedral and Mubcrry-sts. Opposite the
Cathedral, on the south side of Muberry-st., is
Maryland University. The west wing of this
building was burned through to the ground, and the
west wing slightly damaged. The Presbyterian
church where the last Assembly was held was
totally destroyed, and a small German Lutheran
church also. The Cathedral and Church of st. Al
phonsus. both large Roman Catholic edifces, were
several times ON fire. but were saved. The fire in
several portions OF the burned district swept
rapidly through the roofs, and left the lower
portions Of whole rows scarcely damaged. This
seemed to be caused by the large number Of shinge
roofs which are SO exceedingly dry as to burn like
grass In tl.s way the fire actually crossed over
streets n which tAe engines continued to work and
left a portion of Tho fire brigade working in the
very cole- OF burning blocks. Water was so nearly
exhausted before the fire was under control as to
1na,,o it necessary to dam up the cutters, and 50
e., tho supply for some Of the fgc engines. The
Washington engines came over in about 80 minutes,
and their arrival was most opportune,
and c fact chat the control of the fire was secured
dui.ng the afternoon and night oonhagraton
aycrtcd, was due largely to their presence. At $50
T. me- the fire was so nearly out that about half the
er-incs were relieved. 4 cessation in The wind and
III efforts Of the fire and salvage brigade, together
with the large organized force Of citizens operating
Wih extnguishcrs and buckets, checkedits progress
5u 1u the western and southern limits Of the finest
section of residences in the city. About ten blocks
havo been partly burned; between three and four
Of these totally. The section destroyed was chiefly
occupied by small stores and factories, and for the
mo. ps. exce9. on the eastern and northern limits
with common class residences.
Tr-vrvs Il ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF THE FIRE.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-It became generally
known in this city at 1 o'clock this p. IN. that
rr.at fire was raging in Baltimore. The first re
po.ls were Of so startling character as to almost
tu.pe3d business in the departments and all the
telegraph oa.ces in town became crowded, and
al published frequent bulletins. The FIRST news
Fpread here through the alarm Of fire sounded
ira h, box at tie Baltimore and Ohio dcDots.
Iu.su.autes after the striking OF the bells two Of
.ls best companies with all their men were of on
s-s.ia train Those steam engines were taken in -
minute ana in 40 minutes from the ringing Of the
bllsL,r. they were working On the fire IN Bald
more. The afternoon trains 90 Baltimore were
d. a with visitors 90 the tIe. Smoke could b.
plainly seen along the horizon ID miles out oil me
C.y. Tie Washington companies, not being
acquainted with Tie position Of tie fire plugs,
drove r.uiII- toward the fine, which only tour
a. live blocks from the depot O1Tsacling the foot
O. .lc I1l near tie Central Presbyterian Church,
Il l.lccd torrent, of water running down the
r.tar. The mon seized a number Of mattresses
al made @ dam across the street, which gave
Z tDalru5llce of water By their timely arrival
and II1rupt action the spread Of the fire toward
J. Uuu..-.t. and that part Of it where the heaviest
r. fu-i-c business OF the city IS done. was first
Cloos.t. ouJ soon stopped altogether. The bounda-
III. oi tle fire were Howard Oh tAc west, LcMnc-
To- ON Ihc south, Liberty ON the east and Mulberry
q. .tl.u1-tb Portions OF the blocks facing the dis
1f.tt tti.s bounded were more OF less damaged, and
god. and furniture were hastily moved from an
ar.a almost as large as that really covered by
H.. fire. The rapid spread Of the flames
C.G-.i great panic throughout the city. The roofs
IL the burned districts were mainly shingles aud all
perfectly Oly from prolonged drouth aud the scorCh-
irr heat OF the past few days. The wind carried
lorge LatCs Of those burning shingles in showers cn-
te.y over the hin where the Cathedral
and Monument stand, and Ianed them
down about the Harrisburg depot and
T.. heavy manufacturing establishments in
il.t quarter. Citizens ia this quarter Of the city
turned oat O Massc, and with CXtnguishers and
buckets put out numerous iucipieut fires among the
1.ois. salvage Brigade, a new institution in Bal
tn0re, with its light wagons well stocked with eX-
tHgui,uor-, pau0Led several streets in the track Of
tie ire and performed most valuable services In
AL directions there was most energetic fighting of
Ire and most vigilaut watching for every new
IndIug flame. One peculiaGty Of this fire was the
fact that 10 seemed 10 pass over the heads of the
1rCmcn stationed in various parts Of the burned
distinct sc0Icb off the roofs and pass on, leaving the
lower stories '0f q large number Of buildings and
some entire rows. almost untouched. After burning
from the startiugpOiut half way up the hill toward
1he Cathedral the fire lcaped entirely over a num-
Der of tine great mansions on the Terrace
rising nearly as high as Brow Hill
and attacked the roofs Of buildings on
the summit The conAagiation was stopped at the
very threshold Of the section Of the city having the
finest residences. With the exception Of churches
and schools the buildings destroyed are mostly of
an inferior class. There was excellent order main
tained by the crowd, and the majority seemed
anxious to render all the assistance in their power
40 save Baltimore from the fate OF Chicago and Bos-
ton. The fire burned from about 10 o'clock tin
III the afternoon before il under complete con-
trol.
THE STORY OF TIE FIRE.