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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A major fire broke out on December 25 in wooden buildings on the wharf next to the Exchange in Charlestown, destroying structures up to Colonel Beale's Wharf and causing about £7,000 in damage. Assisted by firemasters, inhabitants, and sailors from HMS Fowey, the fire was contained after a wind shift saved the town.
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On Tuesday the 25th of last Month, about Half an Hour past one in the Afternoon, a dreadful Fire broke out in some wooden Buildings on the Wharf next the Exchange, which continued with great Violence until near four o'Clock, when, by the repeated Exertions and Alertness of the Firemasters, and other Inhabitants, assisted by a Number of Men under an Officer from his Majesty's Ship Fowey, it was happily got under, after having consumed all the Buildings from where it began, to the last Range on Colonel Beale's Wharf. The Damage sustained is said to be about seven Thousand Pounds Sterling. When the Fire first appeared the Wind was to the eastward of north, but in a little Time it very providentially shifted about four Points to the westward, whereby the Town was saved; yet the Intenseness and Violence of the Heat was such as to set on Fire the Cornice of the Exchange, and some Houses on the Bay, more than once.
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What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Charlestown
Event Date
Tuesday The 25th Of Last Month
Key Persons
Outcome
damage about seven thousand pounds sterling; fire got under without further spread to the town
Event Details
A dreadful fire broke out in wooden buildings on the wharf next the Exchange around 1:30 PM, raging until nearly 4 PM. It consumed all buildings from the start to the last range on Colonel Beale's Wharf. The wind shifted providentially, saving the town, though heat ignited the Exchange cornice and some Bay houses multiple times.