Lynchburg Virginian

From the N. Y. American, May 11.

Calamitous Fire and Loss of Lives.—About 2 o'clock this morning, the house situated at No. 114 Front st. near Whitehall, was discovered to be on fire; it was occupied by Messrs. Drayton & Lefevre, who arrived in this country from England about six months since, and commenced a grocery business there, and also the trade of Wheelwrights. In a wooden shop adjoining the brick house, in which they resided; the upper part of which was occupied as a boarding house. The fire spread very rapidly, and having commenced in the lower part of the building, there was no possibility of escape for those in the upper part, but by jumping from a window in the third story, in the rear of the building. Several did so, and escaped unhurt; one who jumped in the front, from the third story, has injured his back, but not so much as to disable him from appearing this morning among the spectators of the ruins.

We regret to state, that five dead bodies have been found among the ruins, viz.: Mrs. Mooney, and three children—a boy ten years old, a girl about seven years old, and an infant about ten months old: the name of the fifth could not be ascertained; all that could be learned respecting him was, that he had arrived from St. John's, N. B., about ten days since, was a schoolmaster by trade, and known by the name of John —; the husband of Mrs. Mooney, was one of the first who escaped by jumping from the window in the rear. He had with him at the window his son, but the boy ran back, as he stated, to fetch his mother, and perished in the flames. The youngest child was found in the mother's arms in the ruins, and the girl close by her side. Messrs. Drayton & Lefevre were insured for $3000, but the property destroyed belonging to them is estimated at $5000. The house was the property of Dr. Evans.

Half-past 11 o'clock.—The Coroner's jury have just returned a verdict of 'accidental death by burning.' Mooney was examined, and stated on evidence, that every person in the house was awake, and aware of their danger, except the man who was burnt.