Thus, the brave men beat their hose and tried every means possible to prevent the formation of ice. They even fed their engines with alcohol to break the ice clots.
A major mistake made by the firefighters was the fact that they were too stubborn to adjust to modern technology. They insisted on dragging their hand-operated equipment to the fire rather than using horses. Also, they ignored the new steam fire engines London had set out since 1829.4.
The winter winds were fed to the flames and the ferocious red carpet was seen as far as Philadelphia. Fiery tongues of flame leaped from roofs and windows along whole streets, and seemed to be angry dashes at each other. The water of the bay looked like a vast sea of blood. Volunteers from all over arrived on ferries and trains. But the giant red, flaming monster was too powerful for the poor helpless volunteers who resorted to warm up their frost bitten toes by pouring brandy in their shoes. Finally, they withdrew from their attempts and decided to devote their time to saving property. .
Many of the stores were new, with iron shutters and doors and copper roofs. The heat at times melted the copper roofing and the liquid ran off in great drops. Wall after wall was heard like the tumbling of an avalanche. Cart men had taken advantage of the situation by charging extreme rates for the transfer of possessions to safety and would refuse all potential customers except for the rich. Also, many people were arrested for looting.
"Seventeen blocks were consumed and upwards of twenty millions of property converted into smokes and ashes."5 The burnt district seized some thirteen acres and nearly seven hundred buildings were swept away. The flames went north and stumbled onto the "fire-proof" marbles of the Merchants" Exchange. Books, papers, and costly goods vanished in the blink of an eye. .
Mayor Lawrence appeared with his officers, and it was resolved to blow up buildings.
