The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-03-20
DISTRESSING CONTINUATION

4
Norfolk, March l0-We announced in a has
ty manner, by yesterdays steam boat, via Rich
mond) to distant correspondents, the visitation
OF our Borough, ON that, by one of the most aw
iul and distressing fires, that morning the history
OF this community records. Subsequent inquiry ~
personal observation, enable us to correct some
inaccuracies incident to 50 hurried notice, and
TO supply some further particulars of that at
nicting event.
The alarm was sounded between and o.
clock, when our citizens were wrapped in pro-
found slumbnrs IL was some time, there fore, be-
fore they could be reused to their wonted actl-
witty and before our valuable Fnemen could
bring a stream TO bear them, the house in
which it originated, with the large frame build.
ng adjoining, were so enveloped in flames as
to render every effort to save them uHavalmg.
The fire originated in the frame work shop Of
MIR. +. Balance, Coachnaker and Wheelwright
bat whether in accident or design rs matter OF
conjecture The shop, with two Dearborn car
riages aud all the working tools OF this india str
Gus mechanic, were enti,ely consumed.
The large frame building adjoining, very old
and combustlble, was owned by MI Joseph +.
Cunningham and Mrs Waddey, and occupied
by Mr.. VIM. Campbell, teacher: MIR. John
Green, painter and two colored mechanics, B,u-
Der and Ruilin. The rapdty with which the
flames seized upon it, did not allow the tenants
time to save much more than half their furnl-
ture, and all their wearing apparel, with some
books and money, shared the fate OF the house
which we learn was injured.
The wind blowing almost gale, from the S.
w. the fire was waited in large flakes to the
opposite buildings on Main and Church streets,
which We're several times on fire, but as prompt
ly extnguished by the energetic exeriions ofthe
4 t,,, ia IL al
with the exception of the corner store were ig-
nitable as Under soon arrested the progress of
the fire in this direction, aud kept it at bay
While the fremen were still engaged in this
quarter, it was announced that the Episcopal
Church had taken fire from the brands waited
in that direction, part of the engine Compa-
mics, were Immediately despatched to the
Church. but the difficulty of obtaining water,
and the rapid progress OF the flames rendered
ilmpossibe to save any part Of it, and that spa
coHs edihce was in less than an hour a heap of
ruins.
The office and house Of b Pollard, Esq. ad-
joining, occupied by NaJor Anderson of the Ma
rlne Corps, and the new Lancasteran School
Ia the rear, on Fan Church street, next fell a
sacrihce--the furniture only being saved.
The fire then crossed Holt street, and begin
ning with Mrs. Brambes house, IN the course OF
building thence TO the corner of Murray's Row
all thy houses on both sides OF that street, thro
10 ! IN Church street, and thcnc ND the West
siae OF that street almost 10 Plume S Rope Walk,
with the exception Oft two corner fire proof
houses on Church ST, aud Mutray's Row, which
with the assistance OF engines, defied the fury of
the hanes and opposed an lnsuperabe barrier
! to Their crossing that street, IN which event il
would have been impossible TO prescribe any
limits to their destructive march.
/ some id'a may be formed OF the violence of
| the wind, and OF the destruction with which il
threatened every thing in its range, while asso-
| GATED with the fiery element by the fact thai a
| brand from Christ Church was waited thence to
the roof OF the handsome family residence OF
| " alter Heron, Esq. at the head of + en- Church
ST. winch was consumed with such rapldity that
the family in making their escape from the
flames, could save only few articles of furni-
ture, aud lost the whole of their wearing appa-
rel
Our Fire Companies manifested their usual
desoiedness to duty, and accomplished whate.
yer was practicable under circumstances SO ad.
verse.
/ Among those who were most distinguished for
their benevolent and enlerprising exertons in
SAVING the property OF our unfortunate towns
men, were several citizens OF our sister town OF
Portsmouth. and some members of that excel
lent military corps " The GrsyS,' who came o.
yer the river IN full equipment and volunteered
their services as sentnels over the property of
our citizens taken to the street for safety. Such
an offering at such a time cannot be soon forg OF.
ten,-oor own Volunteers too did their duty on
the occasion.
With deep regret we state that our worthy
townsman Capt. Thomas Rookie, was most Sc
yerey burnt by the accidental explosion of a
tain of powder in which he was about to ap-
ply the MATCH to blow up one ofthe houses.
The whole number of houses destroy ed, OF
which We shall give particular list on Monday
is sirtg, value probaly about 800 to $50 .0oO--
OF winch we lcarniS32, 900 is insured in the Nj.
las. Company, Richmond. Beacon.
T-uJe n ybo DLez 80 q,