Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-11-20

Dshe0 out 100 eueCtudly IN the
buildings which skirt its shores
The appearance of the fire from the corner
of Abingdon street was also exceedingly strlk-
ing. For length Of time the exertions OF the
firemen appeared to be principally directed 10
save that part of the House Of Lords which
consisted Of the tower that rose above the por-
tico. All the rest of the line of building was
enveloped in flames which had EXTENDED tnein-
selves along the whole Except the wings) OF
that part of the adjacent building to the lett
that front Abingdon street. and the upper stories
of which were committee rooms, while at the
basement were the stone steps leading 10 tne
House of Commons. The wing OF THIS oulld-
ing. however, which rose high above the resi-
the upper part being portion OF benamys,
and the lower being used as a receptacle of
great coats, &c. of members OF the House oil
Commons, was for some time, like the tower
above the portico at the entrance OF the House
of Lords, but slightly injured by the flames, and
these two objects seeming to bound The ravages
of the fire and to offer successful resistance 10
its further progress, while all between them was
in one uninterrupted blaze, attracted universal
attention. The flames did not, in fact, extend
beyond these two points, but seemed to exhaust
themselves in the destruction of them. They
took FIRE nearly at the same moment, and burn
ing furiousy for nearly half an hour the whole
structure from the entrance OF the Commons
to the entrance the House Of Lords, presented
one bright sheet Of flame. Atlength the roofs
and ceilings gave way, and when the smoke
and sparks that followed the crash of the heavy
burning mass that fell had cleared away, no
thing met the eye but an nnsightly ruin, tinted
with the dark red glare reflected from the smoul-
dering embers at its feet.
Half past ttco o'clock.-W estminster-h halls, we
think, quite safe. The fire still burns fur!ously
among the ruins il has made, but its power to
do further mischief appears to have ceased; 1t is
hin no init n %
two houses already destroyed. Fresh engines
and fresh supplies of men are coming to the
scene of devastation, and continual roll OF wa
| ter is showered upon the ruins; but our ordi-
nary engines are totally incapable of contend
ing with such conf1agration, and our engine
system wants the great element OF efhclency-a
| general superintendent. Each fire-ofice acts
| according to lis own view; there is no obedience
to one chief and consequently, where the COM
pletest cooperation is necessary, alls confusion
or contradiction. Up to the last We observed
no disturbance: and indeed, before three O'Clock
there was scarcely person to be seen except
the soldiers and firemen. The myriads had all
quietly dispersed; and the only sound heard was
the cracking OF timbers, or the heaving Of the
| fire pumps.
The Painted Chamber and the whole Of the
House of Lords and Commons, including the
Library and Mr.. Ley's house, are entirely de-
! stroyed; and the south wall of the Library has
stroyed. The Parliament Offices, at the west end
of the House of Lords, which are entered from
Arlington street, by the gateway at the Star and
Garter public house, arc saved, together with all
| the books and papers they contained, and all
| the books from the Library. The books and
| furniture of these two buildings were removed
early by the police, and placed in the yard ad.
joining and in the terraced garden, covered
| with carpets and tarpaulins
OFFICIAL REPORT
The following is the Official Report upon the
damage done to the buildings, furniture &c. of
the two Houses Of Parliament, the speakers off,
cial residence, the official residence of the Clerk
Law at Westminster Hail. occasioned by the fire
! on the 10th of October, 1884, as far as can at
present be ascertained:
HOUSE OF PEERS.
The House Robing Rooms, Committee
Rooms in the west front, and the rooms of
the resident officers, as far as the Octagon Tow
err at the south end of the building-totally de-
stroyed.
The Painted Chamber-totally destroyed.
The north end Of the Royal Gallery abutting
on the Painted Chamber-destroyed from the
door leading to the Painted Chamber as far as
the first compartment OF columns.
The Library and the adjoining rooms, which
are now undergoing alterations, as well as the
Parliament Offices and the Offices Of the Lord
Great Chamberlain, together with the Commit
tee Rooms, Housekeeper's Apartments &c. in
this part Of the building, are saved.
House OF COMMONS.
The House, Libraries, Committee Rooms,
Housekeeper's apartments, &c. are totally de-
stroyed (excepting the Committee Rooms, Nos.
IL, IL, Is, and Ia, which are capable of being
repaired
The official residence of Mr.. Ley (Clerk of
the House)-ths building is totally destroyed.
The official residence of the Speaker. The
State Drawing Room under the House of Com
mons is much damaged, but capable of resto-
ration.
All the rooms from the oriel window to the
south side of the House of Commons are de-
stroyed.
The Levee Rooms and other parts of the
building, together with the public galleries and
part Of the cloisters very much damaged
COURTS LAW.
These buildings will require some restoration.
WESTMINSTER HALL.
No damage has been done to this building.
FURNITURE.
The furniture, fixtures, and fittings to both
the Houses of Lords and Commons, with the
Committee Rooms belonging thereto, is, with
few executions DESTROYED. The Dublic furni-