Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-05-10
DOMESTIC.
GREAT FIRE IN MONTREAL.
THIIrsH1U eppniuo IN,
DESTRUCTIVE coNFLAGRATIoN.


DESTRUCTIVE coNFLAGRATIoN.
AZ quarter before eight last evening, while the com.
pany was assembling for the Soree Musical OF the Messrs
Hermann, at the British American Hotel the alarm of
fire in that noble edice reused the numerous inmates
from Their respective occupations, and before almost the
alarm had reached the street. this splendid Hotel bbt-
ed one mass OF hre, extending its sway from floor TO
another producing of awful grandeur and desoa
lion, scarcely paralleed in the history of Montreal About
thirty ladies' and gentlemen had assembled in the large
ball room to attend the CoBcer-the boarers and other
inmates were engaged at tea when the blaze of Iamp
suspended on the branch Of of the evergreens which
formed the decoration Of the passage the Bachelors ball
anu winch nave remained undsturbed since that period
communicated with the whole range of trees and pro
uuceu one instantaneous contagraon which ragged
WIN the most destructive and irresistible fury through
the entire building, leaving the inmates to secure their
hight by ladders and through windows possessed only OF
the clothes they without even moments oppoT,,-
MY 10 secure any OF their baggage property. With
difficulty the concert was cleared by taking the
company down by ladders placed to the front windows the
names rushing INTO the from the burning
~ the passage, and prohibiting all egress by that channel
The scene of confusion that ensued battles all human de-
scrphon and all attempts TO property proved hope
css some articles OF furniture at the ONLY
favorable moment, but, regret say that MANY of the
boarders lost all they possessed.
Fortunately for the of science and philanthropy
Captain Back secured his baggage and scientific
mens which had been so arranged as to be ready for his
movements to Iachine that evening The Messrs Her
mann Co. who were about commencing the concert.
lost every article OF money property, and instruments
they possessed the result Of long and honorable profess
siona career, including among the latter volinceo of
peculiar power, and which cost nearly G200. Mr. IideI
Herman IN making desperate rush 10 secure his trunk
got himself dreadiuly burned in the head and face and s
Otherwise much injured but at last dragged away
and saved by the active interference of Mr. Kerrison OF
the John Bull Inn piano, loaned by Mr.. Duff for that
evening entertainment, valued at G20, was also con-
suned. The houses OF Messrs. Walker, Potber and
NondeIet were occasionally fire, but through the act.
WY OF me various engines speedily saved All at.
ePts 70 exlinguish the fire in the British American flo.
HAVING proved unsuccessful, the whole building be-
came IN forty minutes heap Of ruins. Every eve was
now the Bonsecous Church. the steepe and spire
o. "niS hsd already caughthe flames, and which il was
generally thought would spread downwsrds 10 the build
ng' bu owing TO The practice Of the engines on the roof
and caves and to the heroic devotion on the part of
Mr. Joseph Poiras carpenter, assisted by soldier whose
name wo have not learned, the church was saved Poi