The Kentucky Gazette

When the Editor of the Wilmington Gazette informs his subscribers of his having been one of the many unfortunate people who were deprived of their habitations by the late fire in this town, no other apology will be required for the non-appearance of the Gazette last week

The dreadful calamity whereby three-fourths of what remained of the town of Wilmington after the fire of April last, has been reduced to ashes happened on Wednesday, the 31st ult.

At about three o'clock in the morning of the said day, flames were discovered issuing through the roof of a tavern on Front street, adjoining Mr. Urquhart's buildings at the corner of Dock street, occupied by Mr. Parish. The wind blowing very fresh, the fire was rapidly communicating to the neighbouring houses and stores in every direction, and in a few hours all the houses from the south side of Market street to Dock street, including those on the south side of the latter, as far as Mr. Minter's (which escaped) eastward from the river to Third street were consumed excepting a few houses on the hills.

The conflagration became so extensive before the inhabitants were in a capacity to make any effort to check its fury, that very soon almost all hope of saving any part of the town was abandoned, and the exertions of individuals were chiefly employed to rescue such of their movables as time would allow of, from destruction.

The court-house being unfortunately situated in the centre of the small square formed by the intersection of Market and Front streets, upon the preservation of that building (which is exactly calculated to convey the flames to the four quarters of the town) depended, whether any thing of the whole town should remain but a heap of rubbish-Here at length great efforts were made, and finally that edifice, and that small remnant of this once flourishing place, from the north side of Market-street was almost miraculously preserved. The loss sustained by the proprietors of the buildings destroyed, cannot easily be computed. The number of dwelling and ware houses is from one hundred and thirty to one hundred and fifty.

Many of the families who have lost their habitations will be at a loss for accommodation and probably must find refuge in the country. The poorer class will suffer severely. Much goods were saved, but the loss in that particular, is no doubt very great.