The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-27
The Destruction OF Rangsen, la Asia, by
Fire.


From the Calcutta Star
The following IL an extract Of letter from tan
coon, dated the 18th of January giving an account
of a terrible fire which occurred there on the pre-
vious day II should, perhaps, be stated that ths
cdifces are, without exception, constructed ol WOOL
and consequently, during the dry season, are much
more inflamnable than at any other time
may, in truth. say, Rangoon is no more. Jester
day, at IL. AM, dreadful conhasration broke
out in the heart of the town, utterly defynS every
measure put in force to check its progress; Inc
custom house, main wharf, Armenian church, and
The principal merchants houses, are totally destroy
ed; whole streets, OF great iehgth, Presch, 70 tns
view heaps of ashes and so complete nave been the
destructive effects OF the fire, that old inhabitants
have difficulty in pointing out the site OF their for
mcr residences. II Is estimated, on rough crcad-
t;ou fot at Lrsf 1000 houses hare bca 'atesy dcs-
troud. and the loss ofluo,riy, at the forrest cS'mae,
amounts 10 fpy thirty hcks Of rnpecs, 'ci,'e that Of
Ifs IS i,,oicpk1Ue The fire extended about two
miles in length, and one III breadth and IN its
Searfully rapid progress, communicated to num-
Der Of country cargo-boats, loaded with inhanma-
BILE goods Of considerable value. From these the
fire extended to the shipping in the river. Nine
vessels, of which five had completed their aiinS,
were burnt to the waters edge, and tho remainder
barely escaped destruction, by slipping their cables
and anchoring on the Dalla side OF the water The
schooner Thane, the property OF Messrs Crisp -
Co., had a most narrow escape but, py the SIKH
and GOODNESS of her commander and officers, was
extricated from her dangerous position. Surround
ed by burning vessels, her foresaii and top9aiant
sail took fire and were speedily burning from their
raj places; but the flames were soon extingulshed,
and am happy to say she escaped IN safety. In
the neighborhood of the Armenian church, the firc
ragged with uncomfortable fury. Scarcely an article
of any description could be saved, so rapid was the
progress of the flames. a large portion OF the
natives saved themselves from destruction by
rushing into the river, where they remained, dear
to every entreaty made to them to strive 10 ar
rest the progress of the devouring element AT
10 H. M the custom house, in which was stored a
large quantity of gunpowder, blew up with ire
mendolls explosion, causing death and destruction
far and ncar in fact, with the exception OF few
mean huts in tho suburbs, scarcely single mouse
remains Of what formed the large and thriving
town of Rangoon. 1t is out of the power OF Ian
guage to express the misery and restitution that
meet YOU every side; the eye behods whole faini-
lies crouchng in abect despair under the still
smoking ruins, and thousands VINO nave saved
scarcely sufficient covering for the purposes OF de-
cency visitation terrific in Its nature, has
never before been experienced in this town. Which
ever way you turn, the half-consumed carcases OF
dogs pigs, and other domestic animals, meet your
gaze; il IL altogether the most complete scene OF
misery and desolaton that can be well conceived;
and it will be many years, fear ere Rangoon again
assumes its former Importance as tradinS port
The origin of this dreadful conhagration Is some
what remarkable: The Burmese snip lathna ye
Mahon had Just dropped anchor on her arrival from
Calcutta. when native, induced by curiosity to see
her LEI; a handy Of oil on the fire in his house, and
bctook himself to the main wharf for that purpose.
During his absence the fire, by some unaccountabie
means communicated with the oil, and in an in
slant the house was in blaze, which speedily COM
muncatcd TO the adjoining habitations and in an
incredibly short space Of time the whole town was
wrapt in one body of fame strong eastearly
breeze blowing at the time greatly aided the pro-
gress OF the fire. ana rehdereo us eA'hc''oh hope-
less"
This is the second disaster Of the kind that has
occurred to Rangoon. Ii was nearly destroyed by
fire in lSli.-Ep. IlERALD.l