Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-07-28
GREAT FIRE AT VALPARAISO.

We have been favored with Valparaiso Gaceta of
March 18th, containing the particulars of The conaa
grafton which took place there on The night OF the
18th.
1t commenced alta quarter-pas o'clock, in the ma
val store of Messrs Julian ~ Lopez and was occa-
stoned, 1t is said, by mouse being caught in trap.
Some person in the store, hearing the trap spring,
seized candle and to The spot when the blaze
contact with parcel of tow from which the flames
were quickly communicated to other combustble mate
rails, and IN very short space the whole building was
on Are.
By deplorable fatality, says the Gaceta, the struc.
ture which connected the burning building with the
edice of Don Juan de Dos Correa and that of
Mr. Bernales, conid not be torn down in season. and
thus the flames extended with surprising rapidty, TIL
that beautiful edItce, which few moments before dis
played itself SO gorgeously in The light of the moon.
was an immense abyss fire. that threatened To spread
over The whole circumference which 1t Illuminated.
The principal etfart was TO tear down the build
ings next TO the Exchange and prevent the fire
from communicating; and by the prompt execution OF
this measure, that useful establishment preserved
On the other side of The burning edce, the result was
less fortunate. The flames communicated to the
building occupied by the tailors shop of Burnett II
Co, thence to that of Madame Aubry and at half past
IN clock, finding nothing more TO fe d them IN the
two vast piles OF burning which extended TO the
ashore, they crossed 10 The building opposite, occu
pied by the printing Office Of the Mecuro. The en-
gines which had been worked with energy and actvi
from the beg inning became useless, and nothing
could restrain the raging element, which sometimes
presented black clouds OF smoke, al others immense
volume of fame, and thus went on, sweeping down
whatever it encountered from the house OF lnIgues TIL
1t reached opposite the Custom House There build
ing had been demolished anticipation, by the French
crew, and at halt past three O'Clock, it was apparent
that this fearful conhagraton, which has never had Its
equal in Chill, would proceed no further.
There had before been attempt 10 arrest the pro-
sress of the flames by blowing up the building occu
pied store by Mr. Cross; bu. the quantity of pow
der small, and the explosion produced effect
except a slight tremor, which increased the horror
already felt by the enormous end compact mass Of
spectators.
few moments after the breaking out of the FIRE,
there present n. the of confusion and dis
ORDER The j, ,ns,er OF Wharf.-The Interchangeable phil
anihropic and active French Admiral NJ. Du-Petit
Thouars,-Commendant AK, OF the RENE Blanche,
and most Of his officers, -Commandant Hammond, OF
tho Br. Steamer Salamander, and his oiicers-Colonel
superintendent Amtngual, &c, &c. Every
thing in motion From many of the merchant YES
sells, also, prompt and efficient AID rendered.
M Gauter the French Admirais AID, and NJ. Trap
per- 2nd surgeon OF the Refine Blanche severely
though not dangerously, wounded Captain Carrck,
Of the Pearl, narrowly escaped from the flames.
The loss of properly al first estimated at 81 ,500,-
600; but afterwards 1t thought to be what les,
detailed list of the losses, the paper before u.s.
which however is not complete foots up 1913 000 Of
which S56o,0OG five Custom House stores.
Ha~ksey Il Tomns loss is stated at 100000; MIR.
Cross, $4,000; Juan de Dos Correa's S4o 600; Do
mingo BezaniIla, $4,000; the Pedregaes S55, 000;
Bernales, $4,000; Madame Aubry, 81 500; Julian
Lopez, total loss amount not stated, &c. &c.
Very cordial thanks rendered those foreigners
who afforded assistance especially to the foreign vessels
OF WARY. Jour. Commerce.