Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-05-20

Disastrous Fire in FiHcastle, Va.-Sfxty
Families HouAeIess-Loss from $500 OOO
to S4OO 900
A very disastrous fire occurred in Fin
castle, Va, on last Friday night, by which
perty was destroyed aud large number
of families made homeless and destitute.
The following account is condensed from
the Lynchburg Republican of Tuesday
last:
THE ORIGIN.
The fire originated in the livery stable
attached to the Western Hotel on Main
street. It was FIRST seen at g O'Clock,
when the flames had iust been ignited
The alarm was promptly sounded, and the
citizens rallied to the scene. The new en-
CINE was also brought forward, and put
into active play But the fire had caught
in a loft OF bay, and as high wind was
prevailing it spread with terrible rapidity,
despite the utmost efforts that were made
to arrest it's course. The first house that
caught was the hotel Itself and a number
of wooden outbuiidiugs adjoining. all of
which were speedily consumed. By this
time the danger anG terror of the confa-
grafton began to De f1lly developed; for
the flaming hay and heavy sparks and
in eveey direction through the air, light
ing on roofs two hundred yards distant,
and multiplying the seeds Of the destroy
ing fire. Ladders were employed to scale
the roofs of the houses, where water, wet
blankets and every appliance was used to
Quepch the flames, but as fast as they were
suppressed IL one place they burst out in
another.
THE TRACK OF FIRE.
From the Western Hotel, the ire passed
next to the Jail almost at the same time,
the residence OF Col VIM. E. NJ. Word, a
handsome frame building on the opposite
side of the street, was caught and consum-
ed. Other houses on the same side foilow
ed and vigorous stand was there made
by the citizens to fight the fire, but with
out avail. The engine proved of but little
service, owing to the number of houses
simultaneously burning, and the scarcity
of water, which had to be supplied from
buckets. From Col. Words the fire moved
up the street to the store Cf Mr. SwitZer,
at the corner ; also, across to DR.. Carper's,
involving that dwelling and that of Mr..
Carper, adjoining IN destruction. The
fire then attacked the Herald office. And
then, bursting from all restraint, it swept
down Main street on both sides, leaving
between Back street and Roanoke street,
as lar uOWu dS w dIS1 6IEGoL-h uI0I0AOO3
perhaps, of 800 yards, not more than three
or four tenements
Between Back and Main streets was left
the Court House-Whose escape was al
most miraculous; and between Main and
Roanoke streets, were left the house OF
MI. Mcdowell, and the small tenement
occupied by widow lady at the corner OF
Water and Main streets.
THE LOSS.
Between t0rty ana Atty sturoo AID dwell-
ing houses were burned, and great many
outhonses. There is not left in the town
one store, or Office, or business house Of
any kind. except that a mill, tannery
and a blacksmith shop on the suburbs re-
main and in these is invested at present
the business capital of Fincastle.
The loss in money is estimated at about
$4OO, 600, on which there was only S15, 600
insurance.
THE SITUATION.
When our informants left, the available
provisions in the place, amounting to fifteen
barrels Of flour and a small amount Of
meat, were being issued by the pound to
the destitute citizens. Every house re-
naming was crowded to its utmost ca
pacity by the homeless victims of the con-
flagration. Fortunately, none of the
churches were destroyed, and these are
now occupied by the refugees as also the
academy. The people of the neighborhood
were doing all that they could to relieve