The New York herald., 1876-09-10
AN ALARMING FIRE.

| NARROW ESCAPE PROM BURNING OF THE
cKNDIARIsM-A NUMBER or SEIGHBoRINo
sH,STIEs DEsTRoYED--Loss ABOUT EIGHTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS.
PK;LADELPHiA, Sept Q, 1870
Ever since the opening OF the Exhibition the streets
bordering pho Centennial grounds especially tho
vicinity OF Elm avenue where the principal
have been infested by nun,beress structures
beer saloons and side shows These buildings OF tho
rudcs, possible construction. bave harbored the
learned pig tho ia, woman cheap lodging houses,
and beer saloons shooting galleries other par
asites OF the Exhibition Hundreds Of these unsighly
structures have encroached upon the gates OF the Gen.
,ennial grounds, crowded closely together The
town has been called Shantyville, and none o!
its buildings insured agents having refused TO take
risks on account Of their inilammabie nature Their
presence so near the Exhibition buildings has always
been regarded extremely dangerous, as IN case OF
fire and the wind in the wrong direction the Exhibition
buildings would be likely 10 be destroyed, with their
priceless contents What has long been feared took
place this afternoon. Abou, five O. clock
heard, and volumes OF smoke and flames were
rising from the midst OF these structures in Elm
avenue, between Tischncr and Belmont IN
incredibly short space OF time IN aroa
OF Two covered by roaring
cracking flames, and the streets speedily
filed with 100 900 people from the Exhibition and the
hotels. AZ the Globe and Transcontnental, tho first
just opposite the hre, Ihc second Immediately adjoin
ing the greatest CONSERVATION prevailed among the
guests made FOR the streets. many hur.
rcdly grabbing up their baggage. The nremen were
speedily the grounds and did everything possible
Limit the danes the triangular block OF ground be-
Anu
nuc, for 1t was utterly impossible much
ms stick OF furniture in any shanty where the
flames first broke out In many even the occu-
pants had barely timo escape the flames and sew
eral were singed and slightly burned.
MOST ExcrING RUMoRs
were prevalent to the persons said TO be In tho
burning buildings, but no one Is known TO have
perished. Several horses, pigs, two cows, and
other animals in the side shows burned death
The Exhibition grounds crowded than ever
before and much alarm created whom the gates
were closed and allowed como out Tho
doors OF tho different building, also closed and
guarded for about twenty minutes aud allowed
to leave the authorities at first believing that thieves
had started the flames for the purpose OF pur dering In
the excitement Fortunately the wind
not from the SOUTH and the Exhibition was
saved Hsd been strong southerly
wind there would have been great danger OF the fire
reaching across the street to the Exhibition, and be.
coming the most disastrous con1agration OF the
tury. AS 1t Is, it was narrow escape, and should
the city authorities allow tho devastated
district to DO again covered with frame buildings in
violation of tho law Tho fire broke out In tho oyster
saloon of John Murphy while he was lighting kcro-
lamp; carcessness suggested to be the But
the has been arrested and the Fire Marshal will
Investigate Among other
Underhill's saloon, Shutter Hail. Hcpper's res
taurant, where tho loss Is So, 200; Eshambacher h
Kran's beer saloon, the Ross house restaurants tho
Star and New England lodging houses Bonkete's
Theatre, Crawiord's cigar and eating houses, Aliens
pig show and several other similar establishments
About three OF ground burned about
a half hours time. 1t is impossible to give q near
estimate Of the losses but they will probably
S25 900 altogether. At time the Transcontncntal
Hotel in great danger and tho fire swept up to
within thirty feet Of it. The police arrangements for
controlling the great crowds which filled the streets
and preventing tho dcprcdatons Of thieves under
Captain ucns and were admirable