The Enquirer

Office of the Virginia Argus.

TO THE SUBSCRIBERS OF THE VIRGINIA ARGUS.

In consequence of the dreadful fire which broke out yesterday, about 11 o'clock, our paper will not appear in its regular course for some days. It commenced fifty or sixty houses above us, on the same side of the Main Street, and as soon as we heard the alarm, we hastened to afford our assistance to others—when we immediately found it was absolutely necessary at home. The wind was extremely high and directed immediately towards us. It was indeed generally expected, that every house would be consumed on that side, until the fire should be arrested at the market-bridge. Our house was frequently on fire in various places. Such was our conviction of its being out of the reach of redemption, that we deemed it absolutely necessary to remove our types, papers and book-store, to some spot of security.

In consequence of the hurry of this movement, many of our sheets of the laws of the last session are lost, our types broken and the forms destroyed. Such is our confidence in the liberality and sympathy of our friends and subscribers, that we deem it unnecessary to say anything more. As soon as our affairs, with the most unremitting industry, can be re-established, the Argus shall make its appearance.

FIRE!!

The inhabitants of this city were alarmed yesterday about 11 o'clock A. M. by this hideous cry. The fire broke out in the main street in a house occupied by Mr. Marks, Hatter—and is said to have originated from the heat of an iron pipe, which passed through the house. The Fire appeared first upon the roof of the house, and as the wind was extremely high, the most serious alarms were immediately entertained, of the progress of the devouring element. Mr. Marks's house was consumed to the ground. The wind being northerly, the fire passed down the street. It caught and consumed the neighboring tenement, occupied by Mr. M'Cay, & Mr. Neal Nelson—and a small wooden building, occupied by a grocer. The devastation next extended to the Vendue-Store of Mr. James Brown and consumed the store on the main street, together with, the Warehouses behind, with a large quantity of groceries, Sugar, coffee, Flour &c.

A small alley next presented itself, between the vendue-office and the store of Messrs. Bohn and Hubner—the fire crossed this alley, and consumed the kitchen, in the back-yard, attached to this last tenement.—The store of Messrs. Bohn and Hubner escaped, partly owing to its superior elevation to the contiguous buildings, and partly to its roof being composed of slate. From the kitchen, the fire extended to the roof of the suite of brick buildings, below Messrs. Bohn and Hubner's, belonging to Gervas Storrs, Esq. which suite was completely destroyed.

This suite was composed of various tenements, occupied by Mr. Werck, taylor, Messrs. Johnson & Reat, jewellers. Messrs. Sheppard & Lucke, and Mr. Green, merchants. The back-houses attached to these tenements, participated of the same fate.

The progress of the fire was at length arrested by a parapet or party wall, attached to the tenement occupied by Mr. W. Temple, and separating the roof of that tenement from that of Mr. Green's.

The wind was violent and the most serious fears were entertained of the fate of all the buildings on the north side of the Market bridge. The flaming brands flew to an immense distance. They set fire to several roofs on the other side of the street—to several on the same side below—they flew even below Shockoe Creek. & set fire to the market-house, close to the market bridge, and to several houses below. The brands are supposed to have flown in one direction nearly 600 yards.

No computation can yet be formed of the injury and loss sustained. The houses are generally valuable—the suite of brick buildings was however insured by the Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia. A considerable quantity of goods was destroyed, particularly in the vendue office and warehouses of Mr. Brown.

The impetuosity of the flames was immense. A vast number of people attended the fire—but there was little order and little discipline. There were four fire engines on the ground. Some individuals distinguished themselves by their intelligent and powerful exertions. Mr. Osgood displayed all his wonted fire and intrepidity.

This melancholy accident has demonstrated at least three truths to the citizens of Richmond—1st. the necessity of separating their houses by a party or parapet wall several feet high—2d the necessity of covering their roofs with tile or slate instead of shingles. 3d The necessity of better discipline in the fire companies & a more complete apparatus used on these occasions, such as hooks, &c. &c. May the inhabitants profit by this melancholy experience of the losses of our fellow citizens!!