The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-25

From the Richmond Wing, Nov 81
ABOUT nau past i've Q clock on yesterday morning,
store OF A. Il. Moore, on Broad street The front
door OF the store being open they promptly entered
and commenced removing goods But little time
however was given them for exertion for soon after
they entered, flask of powder which stood on the
shelf, caught the fire, exploded, and with terrific
force dashed the watchmen into the street amid
thousand fragments OF wood glass, barrels, sugar
leaves, and other articles. We understand watch
man Freeman received some severe injuries. Bibb
was also somewhat burned, but not severely. Mr.
Moore traded in powder and the flask which con-
tanned about twelve pounds of the article, was laid
in convenient place for SALE Not Whilst Anding that
the store extended back over seventy feet leaving
room for the presumption that the effect from one or
either extremity from SO small quantity. could not
be much yet was not So for the force great
at both ends as to have driven barrels containing
from thirty to forty gallons into the street and back
yard. Two large barrels, obtaining fluid and whis-
key, were dashed through the back entrance, and
strange to say not damaged in the least.
On the floor above the store a coach factory is
kept by Mr.. Geo. F. Smith, whose loss by the explo-
zion is little below 81 900. large portion of the
flooring was forced up and some carriages in process
OF construction, dashed through the doorway upon
the plato outside and of course considerably shat
tered. Several small articles about his concern were
very much damaged and cast alb out in chaotic pile.
That such general destruction to every article
could be brought about by so small quantity of pow
der is matter of general surprise We dare say
that out Of all the goods in Mr. Moores store, extern
sive it was scarcely 800 worth escaped destruc-
ton Doors, windows shelving, posts, counters, in
fact every thing about the establishment were dashed
to fragments in every direction.
The belief Is that the store had been entered by
some burglars, who. sitter taking what they could,
set the place on fire. The conclusion is very rational,
the door discovered to be open at the first APP
pealance of the fire. And much as the evil wrought
by the explosion is to be complained Of the conse-
quences would unquestionaby have been worse il it
had not occurred, large quantity of burning fluid
whiskey, and other high combustible matter, which
would have furnished food for destructive conda-
grafton were dashed into the street by the explosion
and therefore placed beyond the range of the fire.
The force Of the fame which first threatened ruin
to the entire property in that neighborhood, was
weakened by being scattered into detached and con-
sequenty impotent fragments toexhaast themselves,
away from all contact 9th any portion OF the main
building.
Mr.. Moore was insured in the Fire Association for
$4,000, and in the Marine for $1,000 which it is sup
posed will his l0ss. Mr.. Smith was not insured,
and the loss will fall heavily upon him.
Another fire occurred on the opposite side of the
dock, near the Danville railroad depot about half
past IL o'clock on Saturday night. small wooden
building near Mr.. Hiram Smiths com mission house,
occupied as grocery store by John Jordan, was en-
trely burned up with its contents. 1t was said to be
the work OF an incendiary.
The alarm of fire about hafpast o'clock last
night was o,cas,ned by the burning Of small I'M
tenanted dwelling rear OF Lumpkins jail. The fire
was put out before any damage was done.