Source unknown
This description of the fire
is read by an actor.
"The fire completely illuminated
the whole town,
and it was a curious sight to see
the emitted sparks
intermingled with the flakes of snow
floating in millions and millions
over the snow covered house tops,
and the heads of a curious,
anxious and weather-beaten
crowd of spectators.
At twenty four minutes to twelve o'clock
the hands of the huge clock stopped.
The tower contained a ring
of eight bells,
one of which fell with a heavy thud
to the basement of the tower.
The other seven
are believed to be melted."