Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-10
FrRE.-The alarm of fire about half past


eleven o'clock last night, was caused by the
burning of the two framed buildings that stood
on the southwest corner of the intersection of
King and Washington streets. When first dis
covered the flames were protruding through
the back wall of the corner house near the
ground, and were running up the weather
boarding, but when the doors were burst open,
and that was done Immediately, the whole in
terror of the building was found to be on fire,
and from the infamable character Of the ma
terial of which it and the adjoining house were
constructed, they were both entirely consumed,
| notwithstanding the we'll directed exertions of
the fremeu, who were soon on the spot and
hard at work. and but for whose untiring CT
forts the spread of the flames could not have
been prevented. The whole Fire Department
| was out, and the celebrity with which the
steam engines commenced to throw water was
remarkable, and reflected great credit upon
those having them in charge. The Columbia
threw two streams. The heat of the fire was
intense, and that the residence of Captain
Semmes, Immediately adjoining the burnt
buildings, was not injured, is as good an evl-
dence of the efficiency of the Alexandra fire
men as could be produced.
Showers Ct burning embers fell upon the vi.
+. Church South, just In rear OF the scene OF
the conhagration, but they were speedily swept
off by persons who manned the roof equipped
with brooms and buckets of water The roof
of the dwelling house on the northeast corner
of Prince and Washington streets caught fire
from the flying sparks, but was extingushed by
members Of the Relief Hook and Ladder Go.
before any damage had been occasloned.
During the progress of the fire the rear wall
of the corner house fell upon shed on which
were pipemen J. P. Shrakes, Henry Herbner,
Geo. S. French, and Allan Ramsay, of the Co
lumbia, crushing it to the ground, with those
who were on it. but fortunately iujurlng none
of them seriously.
No one lived in the corner house, but that
adjoining it was occupied by Messrs. Corson u
Boyd as green grocer store. Most OF their
stock was saved, though in damaged coudl
ton. 4 family named Pruitt lived over this
store, and they lost nearly all they had, some
of them barely escaping with the clothes they
were wearing.
The houses belonged to Mrs. S. S. Barbour
and were insured 10 the Liverpool & London 4
Globe Company, of which Hooe, Wedderburn
& Co. are the agents in this city, for 5000
The stock of Corson & Boyd was Insured in
the Merchants apd Mechanics Company of
Richmond, of which Mr.. II. q. Willis is the
Alexandria agent, for $500.
The light of the flames Illuminated all the
surrounding country, and was SO great that 1t
was distinctly seen in Washington, the papers
of which city speak of it this morning, wi thout
however, being aware of its cause. 1t is sup
posed that the fire was the work Of an iucen-
diary.
The alarm of fire about six o'clock this
| morning was caused by the reminding of the
debris, and the Fire Department was again on
the ground, but it was only necessary tor the
Hydraulion steam engine to 60 into service.
AN UUFoRTU NATE BRAKEsMAN. rea
ders will doubtless remember the circumstance
of brakeman on the Orange, Alexandria and
Manassas railroad being knocked off the train
by bridge during last fall, particularly when
we remind them that, Notwithstanding the Sc
we're injuries which he sustained, he was
brought to his home, and mounted horse aud
rode to Milton, his voting precint, where he
cast his ballot for the entire Conservative tick
ct. Thomas j. Craddock, the same man, was
seriously mashed by being caught between two
cars at Cupeper Courthouse, (the scene of the
qrst mishap), last week. He was engaged in
coupling the cars at the time. This is an I'M,
portant station for MIR. Craddock, and we would
advise him to watch his ps and q when ne is
in the neighborhood of Culpeper. Craddock
is represented as being faithful employee,
and deserves we'll of his employers = Chorlottes-
rile Chronicle