The Virginia Gazette

NEW YORK. March 12.

On Thursday night last, between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock, a fire broke out in Scotch street, and it is generally agreed that it began in a house belonging to Mr. Hampton, and known by the name of the Lodge, and that it must have consumed a considerable part of the inside before it was discovered, as the building was reduced in less than twenty minutes after the discovery was made; this was observed by a person who was unable to assist. The rapidity with which it burnt, and the extreme scarcity of water, together with the narrowness of the street, and the wooden materials of which the neighbouring buildings were composed, baffled the most active vigilance of people of all ranks and conditions; so that in less than two hours from its first appearance it extended itself to fourteen dwelling-houses and stores, on both sides of the street, the greatest part of which were consumed in about two hours and a half. The impetuosity of the flames rendered it impossible for several of the sufferers to save their wearing apparel, much less their furniture, &c. so that they are really become proper objects of charity, more especially the aged and others, some of whom have neither food nor raiment, or place to lay their heads, but what their humane friends and neighbours provide for them, some of whose circumstances will not long afford them relief; so that their case calls for the most speedy and benevolent assistance, which it is not doubted but the well disposed will afford them.