The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-06-05
FIRE :


inc and perfectly satisfactory TO the planters
md COMM, on merchants.
FIRE
Last Friday night, about II o'clock, the cry Of
fire aroused our citizens, and, in few moments
a large crowd had assembled on the spot, 10 wit
ness the progress of the destructive element. 1t
broke out in Cooper's shop belonging to capt.
Pleasant Labby, situated on the Lot Immediately
in rear OF the Virgnian Office; and, notwith-
standing its contiguity to several old wooden
buildings aud the scantinoss of our preparations
for such emergencies, twas happily eXtlngmshed
before much damage had been done The shop
IN which the fire originated, the dwelling house
occupied by MIR. John Labby, and an adjacent
Kitchen were the only houses consumed. As IL
sual, we we're peculiarly favored by fortune. -
There was almost dead calm whilst the fire
lasted. Had there been slight wind, it is i'm
possible to conjecture what would have been the
extent of damage. Every thing, however, was
not trusted to fortune. Many OF our citizens
as well as several strangers were extremely &C
been, could they have been of any service A.
Inong those who we're most conspicuous On the
OCCASION and TO whose exc-tions tic preservation
of an immense amouf 81 property is generally
aud we believe Iustly ascribed, are Mr.. James c.
Norman ana Mr.. Green. The latter gentleman
belongs to the corps oi Comedians now in this
place, and will doubtless be suitably remember
ed as he ought to be, when an occasion shall
present itself
The inadequacy of our means TO combat fire
is generally admitted. as is likewise the impor-
lance and necessity of increasing them. But
ii is not of so much consequence to possess the
means of protection, as it is that those means
should be properly and efficiently organized. A
fire company, with an active captain at its head,
would do more service than twenty times its
number. acting without concert, in irregular aud
detached squads, one party undoing what anoth-
er has done, and every man giving orders with
out having any definite object in view, Thus,
last Friday night, while several individuals were
endeavoring TO preventive flames from spreading,
by applying wet blankets tn the roof of the bull
ding nearest to the fire. and all danger was over
except from the sparks which mi ht make a
Judgement on it, another party with fire hooks
was Juggling away at the almost consumed wall
of the house that was on FIRE unconscouSlv Gre
ating this very danger. Then, too, the circum-
stance of every inan giving orders, each striving
TO elevate his voice above the rest, is productive
Of such confusion that nothing can be done I'M
derstandmgly. Surely, since the builders OF
Babel were scattered to the four corners OF the
earth, there has not been heard such a continual
war of tongues rs that which poured unceasing
" upon the ear last Friday night Without fire
companies, the hooks, ladders, axes, engines, hose
and buckets are never as efficient as they ought
TO be- Might not the Common Council oiieI
Some inducement to the formation of one or two
companies of this description
by the way, it is general remark among ou
citizens. that had the fire extended to the main
street, they would have sought safety in fight
Neshould certainly have advised that course to
every one who had no wish to be blown sky
hisH. we nave no knowledge oil iHc idCt, Dut II
bno doubt the ease tina, many of our stores have
large quantities of powder in them, which would
inevitably be productive of loss of life aud extern
SNe rum il a fire should break ont in their imme
date neiehborhood We think il worthy of the
serious consideration of our merchants whether
Tue profit they make by the sale Of this article is
pIoportionate with the risk they run in keeping
sNeH large quantities of il in their houses And
Oi The Common Council would ask whether
all hope of Town Magazine has vanished
IL the fears of the residents in the neighborhood
VI The court house ought to prevent ITS erection
on that square land We think they ought cannot
some other eligible site be procured We think
ulS matter very important both as II regards life
ana property As we cannot foresee when, nel
'aer can We tell where. a fire may commence
accident or desion NAV communicate II as rea
W. 10 house allied with powder as TO cooper :
sup; and If il should commence near the pow
""r,in the dead of night, what chance of escape
wound there be for those sleeping beneath tie