The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-07-15
TIE DUBLIN WHISKY FIRE.
"A Scene Of Appalling Destruction
aHd DisgracefUi A5aud eminent
TO Appetite for Strong
Brink


The most alarming and destructive fire
which has occurred in Dublin since the
burning of the Custom House stores about
40 years ago broke cut on the 10Th ult in
the Liberties. 1t originated in malt house
the property of Mr.. Reid, in which large
quantity of malt was stored. This build
Ing was situated in the centre of district
inhabited by persons of the laboring class,
and nj close proximity to 1t was a large bon
ded store, belonging to Mr.. Lawless, and
containing about l ,o00runcheons of whisky,
brandy, and other spirits, owned by sever
al dlstillers. The first intimaton of the
ire was conveyed about Q o'clock to the
station Of the Municipal Fire Brigade on
Nnetnvern street, and was not, it is stated
responded to as promptly as usual though,
even had there been immediate activity. it
is not likely tha. much, if anything effect
tai could have been done to check the pro-
gresS ofthe flames. Owing to the infamma-
Bile nature Of the stores there was no hope
from tie first of saving any of the adjoin-
irg premises, bot fears were entertained
that the cor uhagration would be borne in a
restless food over the city. The burning
liquid streamed out under the doors and
drought every creyice il the malt house,
am, rushing alorg tEe streets, soon found
Its way into The bonded stores, where,
meeting with corGenial element, it became
more terrible and spread on every side with
ruinOus effect. The barrels of spirits, be-
coming ignited with the ropidity Of gun
powder, blazed and burnt up, sending forth
new tributaries to swell the fery tide, which
dashed with increasing fury through streets
The bonded stores were speedily wrapped
in fumes, which illumated the sky and sig
nailed tie event for miles beyond the city.
When the Fire Brigade arrived after some
little delay, they saw that their engines and
appliances for ex;ingnishing ordinary fires
were Of no avail in such an emergency.
To add water tc the burning torrent would
have been only to render it more widely
destructive. As it was, the burning liquid
ran down the sewers, and, meeting with
the gases which were confined in them,
caused them to burst with explosions,W hich
increased the alarm and danger. A large
force Of military, under Col. Fellowes.
Assistant Adjutant General was consider
ately dispatched to assist the police in
maintaining order, and rendered valuable
aid. They formed a Gordon around TIE
tarning premises and kept away the crowds
of people who rushed to the scene from
various motives, chiefly from cur:ousity, bat
many 10 the hope Of plunder. The inhab-
itants Of the houses in the vicinity were
panic-strick land it was a pitiable sight to
witness their bewildermeut and terror.
Meanwhile the blazing liquid continued to
pour through The streets Ike lava, and
coming in contact with the wood Of the
houses, which are the oldest in the city,
igrited them Ike matchwood. TIE whole
block of buildings extended along the west
ern side of Chamber street and the north
ern eide of Ardee street, and range of
houses in Mil street. were speedily absorb
ed, and the residents in MANY cases found
it hard to escape with their lives.
There is scme reason to fear that less Of
life has actually happened, though no in
stance has yet been reported. But it not
alone from the confagration itself that
daI ger Of fatal consequences is arprehend-
/ ed. A more serious peril arose from the
conduct Of the populace. The streams of
/ burning bisky, which to most people were
appalling. cf1ered to others a temptation
/ which they could not resist. Although the
streets were generally well guarded by the
( military and police, numbers of people got
access through narrow lanes and passages
unCbserved to places where it ran most
] freely along the channels or formed in
/ pools in the streets, and they resorted to
every possible expdient TO obtain draughts
Some tried to collect the liquor in their hats
and others in their boots, and, failing tc
satisfy their passionate craving by such
means, they lay down across tie channel.
and tapped the Intoxicating stream unit
some became helpless and almost insensi
bic and were dragged off to hospitals, while
others, ,siezed with the same mania, rushed
into their places and followed their exam
pie. 1t would be hard to conceive more
shocking exhibition of degraded vice
Some deeds Of bravery were done which
are to be set of against such disgraeefu
ecnduct.