The Bowery Boys: New York City History The Great Fire That Transformed New York
Dec 12, 2025
In December 1835, a catastrophic fire swept through New York City, dramatically reshaping its landscape. The hosts explore the city's flammable wooden structures and the inadequacies of early firefighting efforts. Amid frozen conditions, chaos erupted, with crowds looting and drinking champagne as the disaster unfolded. Remarkably, the son of Alexander Hamilton played a crucial role in using explosives to halt the blaze. The aftermath prompted major changes in urban infrastructure, leading to the construction of a better water system and a reimagined financial district.
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Why Old New York Burned So Easily
- Pre-industrial New York was extremely flammable due to dense wooden buildings, open flames, and no formal fire codes.
- The city created rudimentary precautions like chimney-cleaning laws and a rattle watch as early fire-detection measures.
Watchman William Hayes Discovers The Blaze
- William Hayes, a night watchman, discovered the fire at 25 Merchant Street which began from a broken gas line igniting stove coals.
- The blaze spread rapidly across dry goods warehouses filled with fabrics and combustible material, reaching 50 buildings within 30 minutes.
Weather Turned Firefighting Against Them
- Freezing temperatures and high winds made firefighting nearly impossible by icing hoses and freezing water sources.
- Crews had to drill through river ice and often saw water freeze on their bodies and equipment while fighting the flames.