Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-16
GEORGETOWN AFFAIRS.
Correspondence Of The Star.
GEORGETOWN, April is, 4

GEoRGETowS, April is, 1857.
One of the most destructive hres which our
CITY has been visited by for many wears, oc-
cured Yesterday afternoon, caused by a spark
from the chimney Of the adjoining house falling
upon the roof of the residence of Mrs. Magruder,
a block of three story bricks on the south side of
West street. At the time IL occurred, and during
its prevalence, the wind was blowing from north
west perfect hurricane, and in spite Of all that
could be done by the neighbors and fremen the
entire building was in a few minutes completely
wrapped in flames.
The adjoining building owned and occupied
by Mrs Abbott widow Of the late VIM Abbott,
soon caught, and ii also was entirely destroyed
From West street burning shingles, &c, were
soon carried across the square to Beal street. and
falling upon the roof Of the fine dwelling Of Com
| modore Cassen, il too was In a few minutes CON-
! pletely wrapped In the devouring element, and
| entirely consumed. -...-
/ Much of the furniture of each of the families
| before mentioned was removed from the build
| ings, but in a greatly damaged condition
| The entire loss of Mrs Magruder will be In the
neighborhood Of $500; insured for 2,22S on
| house and furniture. The loss of Mrs. Abbott
will be about that of Mrs. Magruder, upon which
| she has an insurance in the North American
Company Of Philadelphia of g., 500 OH the build
/ ing. and a2OO on her furniture. The entire loss
! of Commodore Cassen cannot fall far short of six
| to eight thousand dollars, upon which he has an
insurance of 80, 900 in the Potomac Fire Insurance
Company of our city.
For several hours the greatest CONSERVATION and
alarm pervaded the neighborhood for several
| squares to the south and east of the burning
buildings, caused by the burning shingles, &c,
which were borne by the wind and lodged about
upon the roofs of the houses. Indeed, 1t required
the utmost vigilance Of the citizens generally to
| stay the devouring element where they did, as
| fire was frequently communicated to many other
buildings, but suppressed by the timely applica-
| ton of a bucket Of water.
| Our own fire company, together with every one
| from your city, was soon at the scene of danger,
! and rendered every assistance that men could
! under the circumstances; and the conduct Of your
| Washington firemen, in their prompt appearance
on the ground, and activity in trying to stay the
devouring element will long be remembered
! with gratitude by our citizens.
Mayor Crawford, in company with Mayor Ma
grinder of your city, was actively engaged all the
time the fire was raging, seeing that proper care
| was taken of the property removed from the
burning buildings, and encouraging the firemen
! and others in their labors.
After all danger was past, the fremen Of your
city were taken by our citizens to the hotels OF
| Mr.. VIM. Hazel and Mrs. s. Lang. and to Forrest
Hall, and supplied with refreshments. The very
/ best feeling appeared to exist among the fremen
during the entire time they were together.
| The water is being let into the canal basin this
| morning. We learn that there will be depth OF
fve feet from the outlet lock to the mill of Nor.
| gan d Rhinehart, and of four and half feet from
'hefe 10 the Ilper SPECTATOR.