The Enquirer

RICHMOND, JANUARY 1, 1812.

MORE CONFLAGRATIONS

We seem peculiarly marked out as the Victims of the flames. --Our wounds have not time to cicatrize, before some new blow opens them afresh.

On Tuesday night, about the hour of 7, the alarm of "fire, fire," was again sounded : the bells tolled their melancholy peal; the night of the 26th, reached up with the memory of it ; and scenes and shrieks re-echoed wild through the streets.

One fire raged with considerable fury for two hours. And but for the calmness of the night, the snow on the roofs of the buildings with two hammets wills which screened them, the destruction would have been immense.--

The fire began on the main street, from the corner of 18th St. opposite the Bell-Tavern --it destroyed the 5 tenements on that street, (all of wood.) occupied by Messrs. H. Royster. Joseph Williams, Marcus Levy, Samuel Bell and George Stinback ; until it was arrested by the Brick-house occupied by Mr. Samson, bootmaker. The flames beat against that wall in vain ; the curling columns towered above in vain ; for the parapet wall denied their fury --besides, the engines played upon its roof, and the house was saved.

In the other direction, down the cross-street, after having consumed the corner house occupied below by Mr. Royster, and above by Messrs. Fasbender and Neal Neilson, the fire swept off the wooden tenements inhabited by Messrs. Frank Allen, Frank Taylor. and Hetherton--until it was arrested by a very narrow Alley. The great exertions which were made to save the opposite house in the Alley finally proved successful.--

Mr. Osgood rode upon the very ridge of the house, battling the flames with his wonted resolution : and arrested their "storm." Several individuals deserved great credit for their exertions--the thanks of the city are especially due. to many of the members of the Legislature--but, generally speaking, we have never seen less regularity, more confusion, or more gaping, lounging, and un- active crowd.. It was 40 or 50 minutes at least before a water-line could be formed ; though there could not have been less than 5000 spectators present.

The brick-house occupied by Messrs Ralston and Pleasants on the other side of the cross street, must have fallen but for its parapet wall : Yet this is not the only instance in the annals of our city: the fatal fire in 1809 was arrested by a Parapet wall--we pointed out its uses at that time--& we now repeat it. that no one should be permitted to build in this city without one--nor, moreover. to build a house. of certain dimensions, of wood. nor to cover his roof with shingles.

The loss of the houses themselves cannot be considerable*--better and safer houses will be put up in their stead. But the destruction in furniture, goods, crockery are, glass, bacon, and a variety of other articles will be dearly felt by their proprietors. The tenements on the main street were kept as grocery stores and shops.--No estimate can true be made of their loss--but it cannot fall short of 7 or 8,000 $.

The 3 upper tenements on the main street were the property of Mr. Lowndes--the 2 lower ones are said to belong to the estate of Mr. Samuel Couch.

There is no doubt. that the fire was accidential.--7 Fortunately, no lives were lost.

Most of them are said to be insured.