 After repeated violations, Hammerstein ordered the arrest of the officers, and this caused the National Guards to seize the town center and throw up barricades.On 6 November 1848, Austrian forces under the command of General Hammerstein commenced bombardment of the city center for three hours, setting fire to the town hall ("Rathaus"), as well as the Academy building, library, museum, and many streets lined with houses.A committee of public safety composed of prominent residents surrendered to the General that day.