The New York herald., 1878-03-26
THE FIRE RECORD.
Extensive and Destructive Fire in
Philadelphia.
NEARLY A WHOLE BLOCK GONE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


PHILADELPHIA, March rs. 1878.
One Of tho most extensive n1agrations that this
city has experienced Tor tho past years
IN tho business portion Of the city the southeast
corner OF Fourth and Cherry streets II com mmenced
al twenty minutes TO ten O'Clock and has ragged with
Jury up to the present writing, and it is impossi-
bic 10 say whero It bs checked Tho
fire originated in NJ. la3 North Fourth street. occu-
ped by Henry Il. wamroe 4 Co., ono of the largest
drug houses IN Philadelphia Their store was part OF
series OF SIX stores, stories in height with
sve and ornate iron fronts, and extended from No.
III to the corner Of Cherry street. They built
by Mr.. Keiterl!nus, the celebrated lhogra aphe and
were portion OF his estate
THE SCENE AT THE
within five minutes after the alarm was given your
correspondent WAS on the ground, and al that time
the upper portion oi Wampoe II Co 3 store and the
store adjoining, No. l2l, were OF flames. 1t
was evident from the intense heat and tho rapid
spread OF the flames that the entire block would
be destroyed. The scene was terrific and
yet full OF grandeur AS the different establishments
fell prey to the Ore intensity was added TO tho
names for droSs oils leather large stocks OF paper In
the principal southern stores, gave the element
strength. Al an early stage the neshbors becoming
alarmed began to move their goods, and 1t was
pitable sight to see their agony at the probable loss
Of their MI.
AT ten O'Clock tho houses on tho west side began
smoking from the intense heat and the falling OF
iron walls OF the burning building at halfpast ten
prevented any except by rear aud this was
attained with great difficulty.
BUILDINGS
Mr.. Kettorlinus erecting this beautiful row OF
business houses devoted much caro- to the comfort
and convenience OF those who to occupy them.
They elaborate and convenient in every regard
rorutn ud,h hiUhp IN hx
Charles Shnn Co, No. 127 North Fourth street; A.
T. Ziesing Co.. books and printers; Henry x. VAN
pole Co., drugs No 1913; James Finn Co., glass
ware, No. III r. d. A. Harris, shoe manufactory,
sad TO be tho largest tho United States, No 119
Cahill, Mclaughlin & Co.. leather and caIfskins,
No. III.
In tho upper stories were a number OF sub-tcnants
among whom Messrs. Toudy & Co., photographers,
who were burned out few years ago In Chestnut
street This row OF buildings opened largo back
court about hundred feet square. with carriage
way leading TO Arch street, and contained eight
dwellings and two stables and one small factory, all
belonging TO the Lofty estate.
The dwellings are at this writing completely and
side OF Fourth street. from Appletree alley to Cherry
distance Of 200 feot is occupied by different classes
Of manufacturers. most OF them on q small
scale, iollows:-C. +. Krump Il Co., pocket
book manufacturers, No. lls; f. Bcnswager,
No. 100; United States White Lead Com
pany, No. 1874; American Bottipg Company
In the building Charles H. Baker, painter and gazior
the corner Of Fourth and Cherry; and next to him
Grove, the case maker. All OF these properties took
Are from the intense heat, but they will doubt be
saved, but with immense loss the falling walls OF
| tho opposite buildings crushed into them as they
fell.
Az hafpaat ten o'clock the side walls the row OF
| stores In which the fro originated, towering some
forty feet above the adjoining buildings the SOUTH
fo crushing IN tue buildings Nos. Ill, 113 and III.
These Instantly took lire and speedily mass OF
| ruins The falling OF the walls removing the danger
from this have enabled the Fire Department
| get work with efficiency. There is a prospect
that the lre will be confined to Its present limits
The main Gre, although burning vigorously, Is under
| control Al halt past eleven tho department was
called to attend four at nrst glance serious lres In
Second street, above Arch, arising from burning en-.
bers. BY good cement the fire confined the
buildings but much damage caused by water. Tho
police tug Stoklcy has been busy all night along the
front extingushng number Of small hres that
| sprung from sparks and cinders. Al TINS hour all
danger Is past 1t Is utterly impossible TO
the losses, but they will be sufficiently large cause
increased trouble in the mercantile community.