Year: 1869

1cll. IL was deemed prudent to effect an en-
trance into some of the stores north of the second
store, and the doors on Front street were
opened just ut the time of the fall of the wall
on Penn street quantity of burning whisky
streamed out of the second and third stores. 1t
ran down the gutter to Pine street and around
to Penn street. The blue flame, or rather
combination of colored flames, sped along, and
cent thrill Of horror among the people present.
The coal oil cOn1agration at Ninth and Wash
mgton streets was recollected, and hundreds of
persons iled fearing a repetition of burning
archway over the street. Great fears were en-
tertained for fear all the hose would be burned,
and the fremen fastened to remove il from the
burning stream. They were partially successful,
but q quantity Of it was burned.


Miniature explosion followed upon explosion
as the heated whisky burst aside the barrel
slaves, and added meXtingushable fuel 10 the
flames. The flaming liquor ran down the gut
ters into the two culverts at Front and Lombard
streets, and as the volatile yapOrs met the dense,
impure air of these sewers, other explosions
were heard, and bursts of fame came out
through the man-holes


THE FIRE INSURANCE PATROL


rendered good service, and amply viudicated the
necessity of their organization, although, owing
to the peculiar nature of the cOmbUstibles, they
were not able To carry out all their special duties
Many of the iron-shutters fastened at the
closing hour had been forced open by the ex-
posions and others had been soon broken into
by the tiremen that their hOse-strGams might have
easy play. As far as possible these were closed
by the patrol on Penn street, that the flames
might not spread to the opposite warehouse, on
the cast side, occupied by Dennison, Kelly "
Go. The force attended specially to saving the
wooden roofs of the adjoining buildings by coy-
erings, the free use of buckets, and streams of
water,


MIsHAPs OF THE WHISKY.


After it became evident that the second build
ing was doomed, the patrol endeayored TO save
some OF the stock, and, despite the danger en-
countered from the overhanging walls and the
rushing streams, all abaze, they succeeded in
saving several hundred barrels in good condi-
ton. These barrels were rolled indiscriminately
around through the adjoining thorOughfares
and in the excitement of the terrible scene, some
were stolen. The neighbOrhood is thiclly lined
with wharf groggeries and, in several instances
barrels yet dripping with water were found in
their cellars-"Only stored for safe keeping" as
the landlords had it.


In the early part of the night. some of the
spectators say, quite number of the lremen
who were engaged in rolling out barrels of
whisky would occasionally knock out bung
and fill their hats full of the liquor. Licutenants
Erickson and llagerty, wherever they found
this prank in play, supplemented it by,iocosely
upsetting the contents into the street.


THE GENERAL ALARM.


At a quarter after o'clock II portion of the
wall which had divided the two southern stores
fell with a fTightful crash, and barrel upon
barrel of whisky which had been piled up in
the second structure came rolling out on the
pile of ruins, and several OF them in their
passage exploded, but doing no damage.
From this compartment the fire extended
to the upper part of its neighbor, and SO
along until the whole eight were in flames. As
each OF the compartments caught, there would
be explosion after explosion of barrels, and the
burning liquid would pour into the lower floors
and from them into the street, and down the
cutters to Pine street and into the sewers. so
rapid did it flow at one time that the sewer got
so full of gas that another explosion took place.
causing n stampede among the thousands of
spectators congregated in Its Immediate vicinity.


About $50 the general alarm was sounded,
and the whole fire department of the county was
called into service. The Mayors order had
scarcely reached the station ere q message was
received from Chief Engineer DOwney to the
same eltect-the delay of the latter arising from
his view that great cOntagratiOn was an in
centive to incendiary acts, and he did not wish
the outside districts to be deserted. About 10
o'clock the suburban companies began to arrive:
first those from West Philadelphia, then those
from Germantown, next Frankford, next Mama
yunk. The light of the fire was seen as far
north as Bristol, and westward was plainly dis
cernibe at Paoli. The unusual changing of the
State House bell had the effect of drawing many
OF our citizens from their homes, and soon every
street and by-way was thrOngcd with an unceas-
ing tide of humanity.


THE AWE-INsPIRING SCENE.


As the fire progressed the walls fell one after
another, and the hope that it would be stayed
proved grOundless. The sea of flame lighted up
the whole heavens, and drew crowds of tens
of thousands to witness the fTightful scene. The
roaring of the flames, the putting of the fire
engines the perilous feats of the iremen, and
the anxious watching of the crowd, together
with dread that had struck all who resided near
the scene made picture that it is impossible
to describe. 1t was indeed scene of surprising
grandeur. The flames shot up seemingly a
hundred feet in the compartments yet standing,
and the blaze and heat were oVerpowering to
those compelled to be near by.


Dense volumes of smoke of a yellowish-green-
ish hue covered the neighborhood and as the
streams of water broke their opacity, cOne-like
spectrums were shown, bright with all the colors
Of the rainbow. The flames varied in color,
deep blues and purples predominating. Those
whose fortune, or misfortune, it was to gaze
upon the sight, will never forget the awfulncss
of the spectacle. They have the sound consola-
ton, however, that the strange-cOlored flames
were less harmless there than in burning up the
stOmachs OF those who worship the demon of
drink


The immense light attracted persons from all
the city surrounding. The city passenger railway
lines reaped a fine harvest in carrying passen-
gers from all directions to the scene. The
streets leading north and south. east and west,
were crowded until late hour, by persons of
both sexes, old and young. noticeable fact was
the shyness on The part of the lOokers-on to APP
proach near the burning structure: the various
explosions thoroughly frightened even the most
yenturesome, and as the flames would from time
to time increase in height the vast mass would
sway to and fro, in fear of danger from flying
missiles.


THE NEIGHBORHOOD,


Connecting with the warehouse ON the north
are two fine houses, now vacant and undergoing
repairs. Adjoining these on the north are two
dwellings, and on the corner of Front and Pine
streets is n tavern. Along Pine and down Penn
to the stores on the latter street are taverns,
sailor boarding-houses, and houses occupied by
q score or so OF poor families.