The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-03
CHARLOTTESVILLE.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE-EESIGNAToN-Co
rCorrespondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
MARCH =, 1877.
Probably the most destructive confiagra-
ton ever known in this town occurred last
nirht. About II O'Clock fire was discovered
issuing from the large frame building OF j..
N. Daniel a. Brother, on Union street,
known as the Eureka House," used as q
restaurant and private clearinghouse.
The flames gained rapid Roadway, and when
the people assembled it was evident that at
tempts to save the building would be futile.
Successful efforts were made to save some
Of the stock, billiard-tablcS, &c. Attention
was then given to the adjacent
buildings, one OF which-the dwelling
house of Messrs. Daniel-soon caught
and detied the efforts OF the splendid army
OF fire-iighters, and in short time was in 4
light blaze. A brick building, in which
were the Offices Of Drs. Norris, dentists,
and Blakey & Fry, attorneys, was the next
devoted to the destructive element. Find
ing it impossible to save any OF these three
buildings, lines OF water-carrlers were
formed TO every pump in the vicinity, and
the whole force OF work directed in saving
the house, Of Mr.. Hayes, DR.. Dabney, and
J. II. Bowman, ESQ. \ strong southerly
wind set in about this time and augmented
the heat to such an extent that trees in DR..
Da5ney's yard, sixty feet across Market
street, were set on fire, neceSSitating
their being cut down. With nothing
but buckets. and by herculean labor,
the fire was confined to the buildings al
ready attacked. Presently diversion was
caused by the alarm that DR.. w. &. \. Ran
dolph'o house was on fire, ana q general
rush was made forthe new scene OF destruc-
High street. II had taken fire on the
shingles from some Of the millions Of blaz-
Ing cinders which arose from the fire and
were borne on the wind for hundreds OF
wards north OF it. The stables Of +. NJ.
Wills, Esq. were also in the line Of these
cinders, and were III imminent danger for
long time. Several small houses in
the centre OF the square were also
consumed, and but for the wind carry
ing the fire towards Market street,
the whole square must inevitably been
destroyed, including the National
Bank building and post-oftice, which was
in great danger for while. Effort was
concentrated on the house OF Mr.. Hayes,
which, being Of brick and covered with
Slate, was saved, and arrested the progress
OF the flames in that direction. About 3
o'clock A. NJ. the fire had gotten down so
lar as 10 justify the assurance Lilat no Ilr-
Their danger need be apprehended, and
rain coming on just then, increased until
morning, efIectually extinguiShing all the
embers, until now there is nothing but
smoke arising from the ruins. The iron
safe. containing valuable papers, OF Messrs.
B,akey d Fry fell from the second story OF
the building TO the cellar with crash, send
Ing up fire and smoke thousand feet and
scattering frebrands in every direction.
All honor is due to the students OF the
University, who labored manfuily to arrest
the IRE. The colored people also worked
with Will! AS to our own citizens, they
are the best dre-fghters in the world.
Inc losses amount, as near as conjecture
can estimate them, TO about $4,000. The
Messfs. Daniel were insured, learn, for
$4,000 on their houses DIR. Norris has no
insurance on his building. The loss in
stock, and destruction to furniture, &C.,