The Enquirer

COMMUNICATION.

Yesterday morning, about 8 o'clock, the east wing of the Marine Hospital of this port, was discovered to be on fire in the roof. The wind blowing fresh at the time, the flames spread rapidly over the top, quickly decided the fate of that portion of the house, and seemed to threaten, for a time, the entire destruction of that spacious and excellent building. The colonnade, connecting this wing and the centre, was soon in flames, the cornice and end timbers of the main building had also taken fire.

The collection of persons from Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the shipping, was now considerable. Their great exertions, without the aid of Engines (which arrived after the fire was subdued) or necessary buckets and ladders, seemed to supply every deficiency, and saved a large portion of this useful building, which will be sufficient for present purposes.

The invalids were removed to the late county court-house, where they can be accommodated until the necessary repairs are made.

The furniture and medicines of the hospital were all saved. The accident seems to have happened from a spark from the chimney falling on the shingles. No community, it is believed, is more exposed, or less prepared to arrest the fury of this destructive element. It is generally arrested by the great activity of a few enterprising individuals, to whom we are indebted for safety. On the present occasion, Mr. Coffin, (whose activity has been before observed on similar occasions) Mr. H. Stiles and some others not recollected are deserving great praise.

The satisfaction of having performed a service to the public will be a sufficient reward to these gentlemen. But a mulatto man by the name of Cnutis, who was uncommonly active, and has been so on former occasions, merits peculiar gratuity.

We have been informed from respectable authority, that the progress of the fire would have been arrested much sooner, but for the conduct of the keeper of the toll-bridge, in refusing to let persons pass to the fire without paying. It is presumed with certainty that the directors of that company will give such orders to the keeper as will in future prevent a repetition of such conduct.