South Branch Intelligencer

CALAMITOUS FIRE.

Late papers from Augusta, (Georgia,) contain accounts of an extensive fire, which happened at that place on the morning of the 20th inst. No less than fifty buildings, including sixteen stores, dwelling houses, shops, &c., were reduced to ashes. The fire originated in a cooper's shop, on Campbell street, a few doors below the Planters Hotel, and was discovered about daylight in the morning. The wind being strong, and the buildings in contact with each other, it was utterly impossible, notwithstanding the spirited exertions of the firemen, to arrest the progress of the destructive element, until the large block of wooden houses, extending from the corner of Campbell street to the brick house of Messrs. Rowe and Harper, were laid in ashes.

The progress of the fire was at last arrested by the explosion of buildings in advance of it, together with the fire proof brick buildings of Messrs. Rowe and Harper, which proved an efficient barrier to the flames. Nearly all the buildings were insured, and most of the goods were saved, so that individual loss is not heavy. The whole amount of loss is estimated at $50,000. The property was insured at offices in Augusta, Charleston, and Hartford, Connecticut.