The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-26
A BLAZE IN BALTIMORE
The Monumental City in Dan
ger Of Destruction.
A SPARK FROM A FURNACE.
Fire and Smoke Over the Centre
Of the City.
FEEDERS TO THE FLAMES.
Wreck and Ruin in the Wake Of a
Swiftly Driven Fire.
ONE HUNDRED HOUSES DESTROYED.
The Losses Estimated at a
Million of Dollars.
A SPIRAL COLUMN OF FIRE.
The Central Presbyterian Church and
the First Lutheran Church
Passed Away.
NO LOSS OF LIFE.
Destruction of the Maryland
Academy of Art.
: A BLESSING in DISGUISE.
NO LOSS OF LIFE.
Destruction of the Maryland
Academy of Art.
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.
Wretched ROOkerieS and KauntS Of Filth and
Vice Swept Away.

BALTIMORE, July rs, 1873.
The most serious and extensive confagration
with which Baltimore has ever been visited oc.
Cured to-day. The loss in money will amount to
about one million dollars, and the disaster Is in.
creased by the destruction Of hundred houses
which were mostly occupied by poor class of
people. The fire originated a lew moments before
eleven O'Clock in the sash and blind factory: of
J. Thomas Son, in Clay street, between Licking
ton and Howard, and embraced district
Of three blocks bounded on the east by
Liberty, on the west by Howard street, on
che south by Lexington and on the north by Sara.
toga street. These two last named streets
run east and west and parallel with them. and De-
tween them runs Clay street. This street was
largely occupied by manufacturers Of wooden
framework and of boxes, and the contents Of the
buildings acted as
FEEDERS TO THE FLAMES.
They originated in Thomas establishment from
sparks falling from the furnace of the boiler, and
before the w0rkmen could subdue them they were
spreading through the factory and sparks were
The day was calm, but the fury OF the flames
soon created q wind, which spread the cinders
far and wide and while ircmen were at work
on one building sparks and flames would shoot
up from another square distant In q very short
time the row OF houses on the west side OF Park
street, between Lexington and Clay, were in
danes. The flames soon leaped across Park street
and seized the large stables OF John D. Stewart,
but his horses had been removed in time.' The
greater number OF the houses near by had shingle
roofs, which had been baked and dried by the sun
As to be innammable in the highest degree, and
under the copious shower of cinders which fell
upon them they were soon smoking and blazing.
The wind at nrst was towards the northwest and
threatened to sweep the flames across Saratoga
street. eon- the north side OF which was
ST. ALPHoNsUs CATHOLIC CHURCH
anu some OF the most elegant private residences
Of Baltimore millionnares. Fortunately, however,
the direction Of the wind changed and swept the
DANES back southwark upon their former course.
The l2tty spire Of st. Alphonsgs church had oil.
ready begun 70 smoke, and Ssa weEs plying it
with buckets Of water from the loopholeS when
the Ohange Of the wind saved it from destruction.
On the south side Of Saratoga street was row Of
lofty buildings, occupied by school under the
control OF the Brotherhood Of st. Al
phonsus church, and these were entirely
destroyed. 1t being vacation they were
empty at the time, and no loss OF life was incurred.
From this point the names swept eastward along
Saratoga street and soon wrapped the Central
Presbyterian church at the Of Liberty street
within their devouring grasp. The towering
steeple was FIRST encircled with
SPIRAL COLUMN OF FIRE;
next the roof blazed up, and in half an hour
afterwards the whole magnificent edince was
It was one OF the finest churches Of Balt-
more and contained o magnificent organ. The
block between II and Park street on the
south side Of Saratoga was composed OF hand
some residences, Of which there is no vestige but
flaming ruins On Lexington street, west Of Lib.
erty. the First English Lutheran church was also
burned TO the ground. Singular to say 1t was the
only one OF the buildings on Lexington street to
the front OF which the flames penetrated. With
the exception Of these two churches, the row on
Saratoga street and the manufacturing establish.
ments in Clay street. there were no valuable build.
ings destroyed in this District but within It there
were vast number Of people resident therein,
and their EFFORTS to remove their household goods
and to escape from the names presented
MOST EXCITING SPECTACLE.
People for squares around were recklessly tum-
bling their furniture into the streets and owners
Of carts and wagons were demanding the most
extravagant prices for transporting them TO places
Of safety. At the height Of the Are the scene was
appalling. multitude OF men we're hurrytng to
and fro In the cndeavor to save thair furniture.