The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-10
A FIRE PANIC.

Frightful Fires Throughout Virginia.
Special Dispatches from DanviIle,
Burkville, Norfolk and GordonsviIle-
Pine Timber, Farm Buildings, Resi-
dences and Railroad Property Burned.
RICHMOND, Va, April 0, 1873.
From many quarters Of the State accounts have
been received OF extensive fires in the woods, By
which much damage has been done to houses
barns, fences, railroad tracks and other
property. There was report this eve
ming that Danville was on fire and the
destruction OF the city threatened another OF de.
structtve fire at Gordonsvle, where railroad de.
pot was destroyed; while by despatch from Norfolk
comes an account of the ravages OF the fire in the
Dismal Swamp, which extends over large area OF
territory. The fires have been caused by very dry
weather, which prevailed for some time through
out this section.
THE SITUATION FROM DANvILLE.
telegram from Danyille says:-"we have had a
furious gale here to-day. and several ares broke
out in the town, which at one time was thought to
be in great danger. house was burned at jack
sons Branch, o negro settlement. half mile from
here. The woods and fields in the western part OF
Danvie are now on fire; the loss cannot yet
be estimated, but 1t will be heavy. Large fires
are reported to have started in the woods near
Leaksvllle N. G., and have followed down the Dan
River nearly to this place. There has been nothing
definite yet heard from them. The loss to farmers
is supposed to be very heavy. There Is consider
able excitement in the CITY,"
FRIGHTFUL DESTRUCTION NEAR BURKvILLE
From Burkville telegram says:-"Fires have
been burning In the woods and old pine fields, in
this vicinity, since yesterday evening. Last night
they could be seen In several directions, and
reached the barn OF Mr. Keys, recently from Penn
sylvania, destroying it, with lot OF timber To-day
the wind has been very high, feeding the names
The barn Of Mrs. Martha Bradshaw, living near
the Southside Railroad. thres miles west OF here,
was burned to-day. This evening the fires reached
the Richmond and Danville road, some four miles
west OF here, burning along the track for about
two OF three miles, DESTROYING considerable wood
The stills were burned and iron kinked. Both the
Eastward and Westward bound passenger trains
were delayed about an hour, but they passed over
evening. Several residences have been saved by
hardwood. The farmers suffered seriously.n
THE FIEND IN THE DISMAL SWAMP.
A despatch from Norfolk says 1.-THE dry season
has started the fires in the Dismal Swamp afresh
and large extent OF territory Is being swept over
In the very heart OF the Swamp, and large guam
titles Of cord wood, standing and cut timber 1enc-
ing, &C., have been destroyed. Three dwellings near
Deep Creek have been consumed by the fires to-
day, near Bowers Hill on the Seaboard and Roam
oke Railroad Yesterday afternoon the trees were
ablaze thirty feet high the light OF the ccnnagra-
qion be seen brilliantly nom the city tonight
and II drenching rain does not set in very soon
the destruction must be fearful.o
THE FIRE AT GORDONSvILLR.
despatch from Gord0nsvie says:-"The whole
country is on fire and the flames are sweeping
everything before them: great many buildings
are burned down and the fencing destroyed All
the buildings At Miton's Landing and about one
hundred yards OF the track are burned The rails
The destruction has been general throughout most
adjoining counties and west OF Staunton.