The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, October 26.

Yesterday between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, a fire broke out in a warehouse at Galley Key near the custom-house, which burnt with great violence for some hours; during which time, a considerable quantity of valuable merchandize was consumed; as it happened at the time of low water, it was with the greatest difficulty that several vessels, which lay close to the key, were prevented from taking fire, the consequence of which must have been very fatal. As soon as it was discover'd, a guard was order'd from the Tower, to prevent rogues from stealing the goods, &c. The right hon. the Lord Mayor went also on the first notice, in order to encourage and animate the firemen, &c. How it began is not certainly known, some laying it was by a porter's throwing carelessly some lighted tobacco out of his pipe on a bale of hemp; and others, that the hemp took fire, by being pack'd too soon. Mr. Warwick, an elderly gentleman, belonging to the custom-house, was so much terrify'd by the fire, that he pack'd up his money, &c. and carry'd them to the Dolphin tavern in Tower-street; but had not been there a quarter of an hour, before he died by the fright, as 'tis suppos'd. His cash, &c. was immediately seal'd up, and watchmen set to guard it til it could be properly deliver'd. We hear that the damage occasion'd by the fire in the warehouses adjoining to the custom-house, amounts to near 30,000l.