GREAT FIRES OF THE WORLD.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 345, 21 July 1875, Page 3

GREAT FIRES OF THE WORLD.

First that at Rome under the reign of Nero, a.d. 64. Of the fourteen districts into which the city was divided, four only remained entire. The fire raged with the greatest fury for six days and seven nights, and after it was thought to have been extinguished it burst forth again, and continued for two days longer. The population of the city at that time has been estimated at two millions. It was generally believed that Nero set fire to the city himself ; and it was currently reported that during the conflagration he ascended a high tower to witness it, and amused himself with singing the ' Destruction of Troy.' The ' Great Fire ' of London commenced the 2nd of September, 1666, lasted four days and nights, and in that time reduced to ashes five-sixths of the whole city within the walls. The ruins covered a span more than a mile long and half-a-mile broad. Out of 370 acres of buildings in London and 230 in out parishes, only 75 acres were left standing. There were consumed 13,200 dwelling houses, 400 street, numerous public dwelling, 86 churches, hospitals, schools, and libraries. 200,000 people were left houseless. The loss was rudely estimated at £11,000,000 sterling. But though severe at the time, this visitation contributed materially to the improvement of the city. It was rebuilt on a more commodious plan by Sir Christopher Wren in about four years. The Great Fire at Moscow in 1812. On Wednesday, September 15, Napoleon took up his head-quarters in the Kremlin, and on the same day the conflagration broke out and spread rapidly over the city. The explosions, and the balloons of flame which were seen falling from the tops of the towers, showed that means were being taken to spread the fire. A vast sea of flames illuminated the horizon for miles. Two different quarters of the town took fire, burned, and disappeared all at once. The silence of terror was only interrupted by a roaring like that of a stormy sea; this was produced by the wind, which, driving with violence tae torrent of flames, hurried on, far and wide, the destructive element. Although a great part of the town was built of wood, it took many days of general conflagration to consume it. At last, in most quarters of the town, there were left so few traces of habitation that the streets could hardly be recognised. Human bodies half burnt, and the carcases of horses, cows, and dogs lay in the midst of the ruins. 30,700 houses, besides a great number of palaces, were reduced to ashes; scarcely sixty buildings were left standing. The private loss by the destruction of houses and

their contents was calculated at not less than £30,000,000, and this was probably under the mark. It is thought the tire was kindled by the Russians themselves as a means of drivingoiitthe invader. The desolation didnot last long; Moscow rose like a Phoenix from her ashes, but in greater beauty and under a newer form.