The Alexandria Herald

FIRE.

From the Philadelphia National Gaz.

An awful spectacle was presented to our eyes this morning, between the hours of 3 and 5, in the conflagration of the noble edifice the Washington hall in Third street, and the adjoining large hotel. The flames, as they burst from the roofs of both, illuminated a considerable part of the city, and threatened all the immediate neighborhood. Several of the private dwellings near, were repeatedly on fire The Washington hall an immense pile, built at great expense, formed a convenience for various public purposes; the utility and beauty of the hotel are sufficiently known every where. The first may be said to be wholly destroyed: the roof and interior of the main building of the other are consumed, but most of its furniture has been saved.

The fire originated on the stairs in the south west corner of the Washington hall, where there had been no kindled since the 22d of Feb. It is supposed to be the work of an incendiary. The person who had charge of the hall and lodged in it, stated that no lighted candle had been in the back part since Thursday last. The Hall, we understand, was insured for $10,000; the hotel for $5000. Mr. Gadsby of Baltimore was in treaty for both the buildings to be used as a hotel. No injury was sustained by any of the numerous inmates of the hotel.