AMERICA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 848, 22 October 1870, Page 3

AMERICA.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Sept. 4. The most disastrous conflagration which ever visited this city for years, occurred this evening, involving the entire deatruc-

tioo of one of the finest blocks in the eity. , The loss is between three millions and four millions dollars, and, it is now feared, ten to fifty lives. The fire broke out about 5 o'clock p.m. in the fifth story, of JLoflia, Butler & Co.'s paper warehouse,

on Waba9h Avenue, between Washington and Madison street, being the south store in the elegant block, owned by John Drake of the Fremont House. J. V. Torwell & Co., Thatcher Bros., the buildings all being five stories high, with baseBient and French roof.

The fire spread with fearful rapidity to Farwell and Co.'s immense wholesale dry goods store adjoining, and in an incredibly short space of time both buildings were wrapped in flames. A large number of the employes of Farwell and Co., and others, went into the store, and were engaged on the first and second floors, and were getting out goods shortly before a portion of the walk fell, carrying down both floors, and it is believed not all of them got out. Some persons believe fifty men were still in the building when the floor fell, that not more than ten or twelve were lost; and this even is not certain. Several persons were injured by the falling walls. From Farwell & Co.'s the fire spread to Drake's Block, one of the most magnificent structures in the city, occupied by Kirkland, Ordway & Co., wholesale boots aud shoes, and by Smith & Nixon, and Lyon & Healy, music dealers; aud although this building did not burn so rapidly as the others, at this hour (midnight) nothing but the north aud west wails remain.

Immense crowds, estimated to the number of 50,000, gathered in the vicinity, crowded the streets and vacant lots.