Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-08-01
Destructive Fire in Baltimore.

Our space is so occupied that we can only
give the following account Of the disastrous
FIRE which occurred in Baltimore on Friday
last. II is sufficiently succinct, but gives a
fair account Of the whole matter. We copy
from the Baltimoyean /;
The fire which occurred yesterday forenoon
is probably the most destructive that has yisi-
ted Baltimore for quarter Of century past.
II commenced at half-past ten o'clock in the
extensive sash and blind factory Of Messrs. Jo-
seph Thomas h Sons, corner of Park and
Clay streets, and continued TO rage with great
fury until nearly three p. NJ. In all about one
hundred houses were consumed, but the most
valuable were the two churches. One of these,
the First English Lutheran, on Lexington st.,
| near Howard, was situated some distance to
the west of the building in which the FIRE orig
mated. The other, the Central Presbyterian,
at the corner OF Saratoga and Liberty, was
even further removed from the origin OF the
fire and in an entirely opposite direction.
Three or four valuable private dwellings on
Mulberry street, near Park, fell prey to the
devouring element, and at one time, the wind
blew with such force, that fears were enter
tanned OF repetition Of the Chicago and Bos-
ton conflagrations. Several times the wind
shifted, and finally became so huctuating that
persons residing upon Charles, Mulberry, Lib
erty, Cathedral, Park, Saratoga Pleasant,
Barnet, and upon the extreme. limits of CLAY
|'street, became alarmed, and many removed
their furniture
Fortunately many of the buildings burned
were small, of ancient build, and of compare
lively trifing value. Perhaps there Is not an
other locality in the centre of the city, where
fire could have spread over SO extended
surface and have inflicted so little substantial.
loss.
With the exception of the churches, the
heaviest loss Is probably sustained by Messrs
Thomas & Sons, where the fire originated =
This firm owned several houses in the imme-
date vicinity OF their factory, all of which
were burned.
Great credit is due the fremen, who worked
with almost superhuman' energy and endur-
ance.
Fearing at one stage of the conflagration,
that it would spread to an indefinite extent,
the authorities telegraphed to Washington,
Wilmington, Del, and Philadelphia, for help
All responded with alacrity, but only the
Washington Department was needed. 1t
reached here on special train in thrty-seven
minutes. Such extraordinary dispatch has
probably never before occurred. The distance
is forty miles.
The losses by the fire are variously cstima-
ted at between $780, and ST., 900, 0C0-
Considerable loss was incurred by the reno
val VI Ou tue uileyS ana smaller
streets there was large number of moderate
means. They are but little able TO stand any
pecuniary loss, and with many their furniture
was so broken and otherwise injured, as to be
rendered almost valneless.
Numerous incidents are recorded in connec-
ton with the fire. The oft-told story in con-
nection with every FIRE, is repeated an hun
dred times. man was seen to carry feather
bed from third story to the pavement, and
drop it tenderly. Upon returning he seized
three hundred dollar mirror and pitched it out
ofthe widow.
II is reported that the sharks and vultures
were out in large numbers, and despite the
vigilance of the police, succeeded in securing
many valuables. We hear that an elderly
lady had trunk broken open and robbed Of
5000 in gold.
The Cathedral was saved by extraordinary
exertions.
The loss has since been ascertained not to
exceed half a million of dollars, and the insu-
rance to amount to $3.50, 900.