Bedford Inquirer

A Terrible Fire in Philadelphia.

A terribly destructive fire, accompanied by loss of life, happened in Philadelphia on Wednesday morning 8th inst. The fire broke out in the coal oil warehouse of Blackburn & Co., Washington Avenue above Ninth street, in which fifteen hundred barrels refined coal oil were stored. The flames spread with rapidity. The rain which had been falling for several hours had flooded the streets, and the burning oil as it ran from the warehouse, through a small alley into Ninth street, was carried along on the top of the water, the flames setting fire to all the dwellings on both sides, down to Federal street, and on Federal street a short distance below Ninth, north side. Dwelling houses became surrounded by flames. In one instance, a man and woman, who rushed out of one of the houses into Ninth street, were enveloped in them, and burned to death. They were seen, and their shrieks were heard, but it was impossible to render them any assistance. Capt. J. H. Ware lost his wife and five daughters. They were burned to death. Fifty-one dwelling houses were destroyed.

This horrible occurrence will lead to the storing of petroleum beyond the built-up portions of the City.