The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-02-04
A Fire ina chinese City.

|
| The Chinese correspondent Of the Newark
| Mercury, writing from Fuh CAau, Novembe1
| 5th, gives the following description of 4 seen,
| in Il Chinese city:
Fuh Chau was visited by n terrible fire las
| night, in the suburb, which lies GA the norrl
side of the river Min. L. commenced abou
haif-r:st five O'Clock this m1Euing first Saw
IL .ooot hai1-past seven, "heh IL presented !;
brilliant appearance. There We're apparently
about twenty or thirty buildings burning a
once. and the lurid flames shct away up into
the sky, while "A yaSt cloud of smoke miugllns
with burning cindeTs, was carried by t!.e Wi nd
TAR over the south side OF the river, the sparks
falling all the time like so many meleurs, tc
the earth. watched the fire, aimost withoui
cessation, for four hours and "a hall, and du rine
all this time ii was constantly spreading
Often q black cloud of smoke might be seen
arising on the outer edge of The fire, the hex
moment a score OF buildings were enveloped ia
flames; and in IA few moments more the Tim
bers toitered. the ties ratified by the thousands
upon the ground, with a crash like the sound
OF artillery, and the houses came down to tie
level VI their PROSTATE neighbors. Thus this
element ragged tiii half-past eleven, when 1t
reached its highest point OF terrible sublimity.
Hundreds of buildings were in blaze, and a
great variety of colors seemed 10 blend in one
living sheet OF flame, burning, cracking, and
crashing with tremendous power. Tne flames
extended close down TO the waters edge, and
at one time caught n large beat lying near the
shore, Which almost In an Instant was III Il
blaze from stem to stern, and went floating
down the river, causing a great commotiOn
among the other boats, whose crews mani
tested the greatest agility, giving their aan-
gerous neiRhhors wide berth. 1t finally
brought up against one of the stone piers of
the long bridge, where it was allowed TO burn
out in the quietest manner possible.
The noise during the contln uance of the fire
was beyond all description. The cracking OF
the flames, raltling tties and crashing t1nber.,
mingled their sounds with the discordant
voices OF men crying to their gods for help,
or quarreling with their fellows for pluEder !;
women and children screaming in agony, dogs
bowling most pi.eously, and hogs squeaiing
out most dolorous protest against being
roasted alive. Among the thousands Of peo
pie congregated at the fire, not one seemed to
have the least idea OF doing anything to stop
its rayages but, according to the Chinese GUS
tom, every man was intent on pracI the
" grab game" to As large an extent n possi bic.
The property Of all houses burning, or likely
TO burn, were declared public property, and
pitched into accordingly.
The only proiectio the Chinese have against
fire consists in hre-prooI walls, built ut GER
tam distances all through the city, and intend
ed to confine the fire to the district In whichit
originates. 1t must be acknowledged that they
very often accomplish their design; but II
happens that the lames spread
over the tops OF these walls and set fire TO
buildings in the adjoining district, which
seemed " be tho case last night
This morning. AS look across the river
from my window, see thousands Of Chinese
swarming about the ruins, all rigged in their
SUITS ol blue, which have been donned since
ter being Mt 10 degrees to-day. The ground is
a little The clearest have ever seen SO soon
after ffre. Scarcely . stick Of burnt wood.
even, rem AIMS, except few posts, which are
stlil STANDING. Ferhaps II - against the law
10 take away anything that kee ps ION its feet,
At all events, there are acres upon acres rs
hare as IL there had never been house upou
them. Thousands OF poor creatures are house
less to-day, but they will nearly all and some
relative TO shelter item until they can get up
heir hnbitations again, aud probably there
" III be less suffering than nHlony the same
aumheT of poor people, under like circnm-
stances, In any of The large cities Of America.
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