The New Hampshire Gazette

GREAT FIRE.

Norfolk, (Va.) Feb. 25.

On Wednesday night, about 11 o'clock, a fire broke out in the warehouse of Mr. Dunlap, on Maxwell's wharf, and which raged and spread with such fury, that the only exertion which could be made by the activity of the citizens to arrest its progress, was the blowing up of several houses, or it is probable not a house in the Borough would have escaped destruction.

It has laid waste the most commercial part of the town.

Some lives were lost, and many persons badly wounded by the blowing up of the houses. The market-house was partly cut down, which prevented a communication of the flames to the north side of the Main-street which luckily escaped. Upwards of 260 houses are totally destroyed, and the estimate of general loss is, on a moderate calculation, supposed to exceed ONE MILLION of dollars. Numbers of lighters owing to their being overloaded, and the tide being remarkably low, were burnt in the docks. Several vessels at the wharves took fire, and some in this state drifted to Portsmouth, when it communicated and destroyed others: indeed, at one period, it appeared as if Portsmouth was on fire.

The raging of the flames, the columns of smoke, the blowing up of houses, the rainy night, the property exposed for safety in the streets, the cries of those who were seated by their little property sheltered only by the canopy of heaven—the ships on fire drifting in the harbor, together with the probability of the whole town being destroyed, exhibited altogether to the senses and to the eye, an awful and dreadful picture. Thousands must have been deprived of a resting place, as it was the most populous part of the Borough.

What adds to the above melancholy narrative, is, that a snow and very severe frost came on before many an unfortunate family could find shelter for their weary limbs. We are happy to learn that the Corporation have allotted money for the immediate relief of the needy sufferers.

The inhabitants of all descriptions, shewed great activity; but it is to be lamented, that there were so few buckets and axes, and that the engines are not kept in better order, as they were of little or no use.

The vessels destroyed, were, the Ship Jackson, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, a French brig, Eliza, (coppered) of Charleston, a British sloop; and two schooners with flour.

The Common Council have appropriated 1000 dollars, for the immediate relief of the needy sufferers; and subscriptions are opened for their relief.