Alexandria Gazette

Lamentable Event.—This morning at about half past two o'clock, a fire broke out in the four story brick store of Messrs. Haydock, Clay & Co. wholesale druggists, No. 271 Pearl street, opposite the Fulton Bank, which with its contents was entirely destroyed. There was in it a very full stock of goods, which was insured for $10,000, and is of course a total loss to the Insurance Company. The second story of the building was occupied by Edwin R. Yale, japan-ware dealer, whose stock was also destroyed, but whether this gentleman was insured or not, we have not yet ascertained. The third floor was used for the storage of crockery ware by Willis & Brothers, who had no insurance. The building belonged to the heirs of the late J. G. Kane, and may be valued at $6,000.

The most distressing result of this conflagration is yet to be recorded. About six o'clock, and when the fire was subdued, and many of the firemen with their machines had withdrawn, engines Nos. 10 and 13 remained on the ground to ensure safety. In the 4th story was stationed Mr. John McBirar, foreman of No. 10, and Messrs. Artemas Gower and Benjamin Blonk, assistants, with their hose and pipe; and in the 1st story, Messrs. Edward Crooker, Eugene Underhill, Frederick Ward, and Zophar Mills, members of engine No. 13.

Mr McBirar, in the fourth story, in casting his eyes upwards observed several bricks falling, and being aware that all the interior of the rear had been burned away, and the roof much injured, he cautioned his associates of their danger. His words were scarcely spoken, when the peak of the gable end of the south side of the store, having nothing to support it, fell in with a dreadful crash, carrying all the floors down into the cellar.

Mr. McBirar, who was three or four feet from the front window, instinctively sprang to the sill, on which he held, thereby saving himself from destruction, while Mr. Gower and Mr. Blonk were precipitated into the second story, among the falling ruins. Mr. Gower was completely buried, but with prompt assistance was rescued alive. He is however, very much injured, both externally and internally. Mr. Blonk was more fortunate: he found himself shielded by a Franklin stove, which fell diagonally over him, without crushing him. From this situation we saw him with difficulty extricated, and are happy to say with comparatively little injury.

Not so with the gentlemen on the first floor; they received the whole contents of all the stories upon them, and were dashed into the cellar. Mr. Crooker, after remaining in this horrible situation half an hour, was dug out from the ruins, terribly burnt and mutilated. Mr. Mills was also taken out much hurt. At nine o'clock, when we left the scene, Mr. Underhill and Mr. Ward remained buried, without any prospect of being taken out alive.

Postscript.—We visited the fatal spot again at eleven o'clock, when the alarm bells called for further aid, and found four streams of water playing from the engines. Our worst fears were realized; Mr. Underhill and Mr. Ward are, without doubt, dead beneath the ruins. Several attempts have been made to get them out, but the bricks with which they are covered, are so hot, that they cannot be handled, and the insecure situation of the walls renders it extremely hazardous to venture in the cellar. The walls are now propping.

Mr. Crooker, who was rescued at half past six, is of the firm of Sands & Crooker, Roosevelt street, formerly foreman of No. 13, and now Warden of the 4th Ward. He owes his security to his wonderful presence of mind, which never forsook him a moment from the time of the accident to his extrication. He remained in his dreadful enclosure without motion, and, perfectly calm and collected, although suffering the most excruciating agonies, calling to his friends for aid. His greatest injuries are in the right foot and leg, the first of which is crushed, and the other burnt.

Mr. Underhill, who now lies beneath the ruins, is about 24 years of age, a druggist, in Peck Slip, without a family, and recently commenced business. Mr. Ward is about twenty years old, clerk to Adams & Brothers, importers of crockery, 248 Pearl street—both young gentlemen of the highest respectability.

While on the spot, which is blocked up by an immense concourse of people, we witnessed a great excitement, both among the firemen and citizens, occasioned, by the flimsy manner in which this fated building was erected. The bricks which have already fallen, have come down almost divested of mortar—and it is alleged by the firemen, that if it had been built with ordinary strength, they would not now lament the dreadful loss of their fellows, who so faithfully remained at their posts. So frequent are fatal accidents occasioned by this mode of building, that it will in future tend very much to deter this intrepid class of our citizens from fulfilling their perilous and thankless duties unless the city authorities prevent the erection of these sham edifices; for who would endanger their lives to guard from destruction the property of those who from cupidity rear houses which on the slightest contingency are ready to topple on their heads?

Half past one o'clock.—We have detained our paper in hope of being able to give some further particulars.

At this time there is no diminution of the crowd around the walls, who are waiting with the most intense anxiety and agony of feeling for the exhumation of the unfortunate Underhill and Ward.

The most vigorous exertions are making to support the walls, and when that is completed and it cannot be till then, that any person will venture within them.

From present appearances, it is probable that it will be near dark before their bodies will be recovered.—New York Commercial.