Alexandria Gazette

Most Destructive Conflagration.—About one o'clock this morning we were awakened from our slumbers by the alarm bells for fire, and on looking out found it to be in the lower part of the city, and apparently raging with great fury. On hastening to the spot we found it to be the large five story brick building No. 209, Pearl street, four doors east from Maiden lane, and occupied on the first floor by Messrs. Doremus, Suydam & Nixon, wholesale dry good merchants —the second floor by Messrs. Bowers & Addoms, dealers in the same articles.

So rapid had been the progress of the flames within, before the fire was known without, that the entire building was almost instantly enveloped in flames before twenty persons had arrived on the spot.

The whole of this building, with all it contained, was soon a heap of burning embers. On the arrival of the engines, so intense was the heat, that it was for some time impossible to approach within playing distance. The building was owned by Mr. Redmond, and was insured —its value may be stated at $12,000. Messrs. Doremus, Nixon & Co. were insured for $40,000, which is not near the value of their goods. We have been told that but a few days since, $20,000 worth of stock had been received into their store.

The adjoining store east, No. 211, also of the same dimensions, was soon in flames, and the four upper stories destroyed. This building was owned by Mr. William Colgate, and insured for $5,000, about one half of its cost. The first floor was occupied by Theo. F. Brett and Doremus, who had an insurance of $10,000. The second floor was occupied by John Rankin, importer of lace goods. A large portion of the goods in the lower story were taken out considerably damaged.

The building adjoining Messrs. Doremus, Suydam & Nixon on the west, was a three story, (No. 207.)—It was occupied by Revo C. Hance, wholesale dry good merchant, and the second floor by T. H. Messenger, as an umbrella warehouse. A considerable portion of Mr. Hance's goods were removed to Mr. Coskey's store in Maiden lane—the whole of Mr. Messenger's stock was destroyed. The destruction of this building was caused by the falling of one of the high walls from the adjoining store—the noise of which was distinctly heard by persons in Greenwich-street.

We regret to add that a member of engine No. 14 had his arm broken in two places, by coming in contact with the brake of No. 11 while she was playing.

It is impossible, at this moment, to state the actual loss of property. We have heard it stated at two hundred thousand dollars—the lowest conjecture is one hundred thousand.

The fire it will be recollected broke out at one o'clock, and at the hour we are writing (one o'clock) many of the firemen are still actively engaged, being a period of service of twelve hours. with the thermometer the whole time from 72 to 88.

Postscript.—Half Past one o'clock.—We have just ascertained that there was insurance on the property destroyed and damaged to the amount one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

N. Y. Com.