Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-02

nov turned to the Bonsecurs Church, the steeple
and spire Of which had already the flames, and
which, il was generally thought, would spread
downwards to the building, but owing to the
practice Of engines on the roof and caves, and
TO the most heroic devotion on the part OF Mr..
Joseph Poitras, carpenter, assisted bya soid'er
whose name we have not learned, the church was
saved. PJitras and his companion cut hole IN
the steeple with an axe, surrounded by tue
smoke and flames of the burning spre, az wen
as that ascending from Rasco's Hotel. ano a''er
exhibiting the most daring courage anu insens''
biity to personal danger, Plotras efectua'iy
succeeded in cutting of the communication "
the church with the fire. throwing "o"n "e
burning ball and cross, which he ehectea WIN a"
axe and saw. The theatre escaped uhoJa,eo'
owing to fire proof wall between tha' ou''u'"s
and RoscO's. -, a..
The entire furniture Of st. Paul's anu .ne
Grand Lodge Of the District including d, VIC
original records, &c. were totally cohsu"eu' az
III 90 their charter which was the oldest in the
country. The escape of Mrs. Stephen Se"ell
and her family. who we're at the time 10 their pr-
vate apartments, was secured by descent from
the window by a ladder. That lady has lost, we
regret to add, every particle personal property
includnga valuable piano, plate, papers anu lam
lily records.
The engines we're as promptly on the spot as
the emergency could permit, and were worked
q it'll their usual numbers and with great effect 10
securing the safety Of the adjoining houses II
IS impossible to do justice to the exertions OF ooh
the officers and men Of the Garrison, from the
moment of the first alarm to the present PERIOD.
Col Macd6ugall showed them an example OF
zeal aud activity which they nobly initiated, and
at six o'clock this morning might be seen the
Commandant and Captain Forbes of the gym g.
wing directions to the guards placed over the mis-
cradle remnants of half an hours destruction.-
We have heard that money. plate, ana valuable
proner,y TO a considerable amount, belonging to
some of the boardcrs, consumed. 1t was
totally impossible, from the rapid progress OF the
flames, to secure any object, but personal safety.
and that in many instances under circumstances
neculiarly miraculous. The loss Of property on
thus occasion, cannot even be conjectured; IN
small compass, it exceeded any moderate calcu-
lstion, as may be inferred from the following
statement of assurances effected
The amount of insurance on the building. and
the furniture in the same, belonging to Mr. Mol
son, was g88OO, equally divided between the
Phenix and Atlantic offices. Mr.. Rasco's furn.
ture was insured al the Alliance, Tor $4,000 and
the furniture OF the Grand Ledge at 420O. The
estimated loss is much above 10000 The The
atre ROYAL was insured at the Quebec and Phe-
nix Offices, but no damage has been done. Ihe
house of the Hon. Mr.. Pothier was insured at
the Phenix office, and those of Messrs Walker
and Mondelet were insured at the Alliance Of
fce Small amounts may be claimed for slight
damages TO those properties
We regret to say, that among accidents OF
less serious nature, DR.. Robertson was sufferer;
passing through No're Dame Street at the time
IN his gig, the horse took fright and upset the
carriage, when the Doctor received slight con-
fusion, but, we are happy to say, he IS fast re-
covering.