Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-02
FIRE.
A House Of Lords.
I A King.

NORTH CARoLINA.-Wilningtc has been
once more visited by the calamity of fire. The
whole OF that yyell-built square, lying between
Market and Dock Streets and between Front
Street and the river, is destroyed.
About half after o'clock on Saturday morning
hre was discovered Issuing from the roof of poul-
try house, near CaZauxs bake shop, situated near
the centre of the square. IL was then so inconsi
derable that it might easily have been extinguish-
ed with few buckets Of water, if there had been
few persons only, to form line to the river
The utmost expedition was used TO sound the A.
larln, but the bell was rung so much in the STYLE
OF ordinary occasions, and near the stated hour
OF ringing, that many persons, surprising il TO be
the usual summons to work, arose sluggishly from
their beds. The inhabitants of the endangered
square and those who had moveabies within It's H.
mi's fearful from the progress of the fire and its
situation in the midst of combustible matter that
It's ravages would extend to the streets, turned
their attention TO their individual concerns and has
tened to convey their furniture and goods, TO
place OF safety.
The Washington Engine had been taken to uie
ceS' tle day preceding the FIRE, and Engine No. l
was out OF order for the first time since the forma-
ton OF the company. The Hooks and the impie-
ments OF the fire companies, had been sent, within
the last twenty -four hours, to workman for the
purpose OF being repaired; and the whole struggle
Ior mastery over the flames, devolved upon the
Franklin Engine, which was kept in action for
some time, but was, singly, found inadequate TO
cope with the increasing magnitude of the evil
AT THIS Juncre all hope OF saving any part Of the
square was abandoned; and the plan was adonted
OF protecting the most exposed points of the ada
cent squares and preventing the fire from crossing
the streets Q
At Dock Street, next The river, the struggle
was calamity maintained and the flames kept in
cneck by individual eKeTtion. Capt Stow of the
hrm OF Stow & Whittier, projected line of 25 in
hiVlduais from the second story of the warehouse
on the wharf, along the south side Of the roof OF
me one story warehouse adjoining thereto Here,
,he iine screened from the heat, by the interview
ing roof, deluged the exposed side of the roof and
the front of the warehouse, which were SMOKING
and sweating from the action of the element RAJ
glng on the opposite side of the street The three
story house, at the corner Of Front and Dock
Streets, occupied by Mrs Wingate, was sheltered
from injury, by the Intervention of the old walls of
mr' Urquhart's house, on the opposite corner Of
the devoted square.
In Market Street, from the Court House IN the
river the Franklin Company had TO maintain a
long and dubious contest, which was rendered more
iaborious, by the necessity Of confirming the flames
TO the boundaries Of the square on Front Street
and also Of protecting the Court House, the burn
ing OF which would have involved the whole town
IN one tremendous conhagratOn. The fakes
thrown from the lofty buildings on Market Street
seemed at one time to threaten destruction to the
northern portions of the town. The adverse cir
cumstances Of the day, were somewhat compensa-
ted for, by the favorable weather 1t was almost
dead calm, when the fire was discovered The
wind Standing for some time at South East veered
TO East, and finally to West Southwest, never
rising higher than a breeze, was propitious TO
the exertons o. those who were striving TO limit
the rayages OF the fire, TO the square in which It
originated Rain also fell in drops, and the atnos-
Phere became humid. The greatest apprchen-
sions were nevertheless entertained, that the fire
would overpower resistance and cross Market St.
Some persons, under this apprehension removed
their goods from the stores on the north side Of
Inst street fruitless attempt was made to blow
up mr. McNeiiS brick store, at the corner Of
Front aAd Market Streets with the hopes Of check
Ing the fury Of the flames, and Of arresing their
progress towards the river, through the range Of
buildings which front on Market Street. These
exertons were not, however, unproductiye of
benefit, as they afforded more time to the NOR
chants to remove their goods from the cellars and
upper stories. The fire continued its progress I'm
I'll il reached the wharf; and here, It exhausted it.
self about 10 O'Clock in the forenoon.
Although there is, II must be admitted, In con-
tempaiing the scene Of ruin before us, much scope
Tor the Indulgence Of sympathetic feelings for the
sufferers generally; and for the exercise Of com
passion, for those particularly, who were unin-
suTcd, we have reason, under existing circum-
stances, TO submit with grateful resignation since
! If the 7Jnd had been high, our whole town would
| have presented general and widespread desola-
! ton. We have too, been disciplined by the re-
cent calamity, into reflections, which MAI induce
us 70 prepare for such calarities in future ar5
may enable Us 10 ward of "the coming blow s.
The regulation ought TO be enforced, that vbarves
within certain prescribed limits, shall not be lun,-
| bered with shingles or other articles, Of more
\ bulk than value and the authority 90 blow Ut