(1776) George Washington Set New York City on Fire - cover up

Slaves were accused of setting the fires in New York City on September 20, 1776, less than three months after the Declaration of Independence was signed

The inferno burned through the night, destroying approximately 1000 buildings. This totaled almost a quarter of the houses on Manhattan Island.

The Great Fire of New York broke out just days after the British had occupied the State’s largest city.

Although it cannot be definitively proven that the fire was started on purpose, all reports in the immediate aftermath claim that several fires had begun around the city at about the same time.

General Howe, in charge of British forces, would have no reason to destroy all these buildings in which he planned on housing his soldiers.

General Washington said as much later that some unknown activist was doing for the Continental Army “what we cannot do for ourselves.”

One of the reasons the fire burned so long is the lack of manpower to put it out.

Most Patriots left town when it became clear the Redcoats would take over.

This left Manhattan with an abnormally low population.

Additionally, General Howe was concerned that the fires were an attempt to distract his army by the Continentals so he kept his men on high alert instead of sending them to fight the blaze.

It is important to keep in mind that there was no such thing as a hose back then.

Those who did fight the fire passed buckets.

Another interesting tactic was the intentional destruction of houses so as to limit the inferno’s fuel.

Somehow, the burning ceased by the next morning. Residents were fortunate the entire city did not burn down, largely due to a change in wind patterns.

In the aftermath of the fire, General Howe began a strenuous search for people who may have been involved in igniting the city.

Although hundreds were arrested, no one was ever charged with a crime.

To this day, the cause of one of the most destructive fires in NYC history still remains a mystery.

Shockingly, I am unaware of a book regarding the burning of New York.