Park Theatre Fire, New York City

Burning of the Park Theatre December 16, 1848, seen from Broadway. Illustration published in the Illustrated London News, issue of January 13, 1849. The engraving illustrates the following article published in the magazine:

«The fire burst forth on the evening of Saturday, December 16, at about a quarter past six o'clock, an hour before the time appointed for the performances to take place. About that time smoke was seen to issue from the rear part of the establishment, which abutted on Theatre-alley, a small street running in the rear of Park-row, from Ann to Beekman-street. The alarm was given immediately, that the Park Theatre was on fire; and in a few minutes the smoke poured from every window and sky-light in the building. Soon flames shot forth from the windows; and in an inconceivably short period of time the whole building was enveloped in fire. When this occurred, the scene was frightful. The dark heavy clouds, which were hurried across the sky by a strong easterly wind, reflected the illumination and lighted up the city so fully, that a person could read ordinary-sized type at a distance of half a mile from the scene of the conflagration. Crowds of persons, far and near, attracted by the glare, hurried to the scene; the fire-bells pealed the alarm, and the whole metropolis was in a state of commotion.

The firemen were on the spot with their accustomed and praiseworthy alacrity. Their efforts were of little avail, and in about half an hour the burning rafters were visible. All hopes of saving the theatre were then abandoned, and the firemen directed their attention to prevent the adjoining houses in Ann-street, Beckman-street, and Park-row from being destroyed; and their efforts were successful. The flames, however, communicated to Earle's Hotel, adjoining, the rear of which was partially destroyed. The injury to the house is, probably, 2000 dollars, which is insured. The fire also communicated to Clarke's House, which sustained trifling damage. They are both five-story houses, which was the cause of their taking fire so quickly. The Park House, a five story building, was at one time thought in imminent danger, though, by the exertions of the firemen, it sustained very trifling damage. The Fountain House, adjoining the east end of the theatre, took fire, but was extinguished without material damage.

In one hour and three-quarters from the time the fire was discovered, the flames were subdued, with a loss of property to the amount probably of 60,000 dollars. It is twenty-eight years since the Park Theatre was burned. There were several reports about the origin of the fire ; but it is now ascertained beyond a doubt, that it originated by one of the young ladies belonging to the ballet, while looking at some bills hanging near the prompter's box, pushing several of them against one of the gas-lights, when they instantly took fire, which communicated to the adjoining scenery. Instead of pulling down the whole bundle when they first took fire, she ran from them, and before another could reach the spot, the scenery was in flames, which could not be arrested.»