Virginia Argus

FIRE!!

On Saturday morning, about two o'clock the bake-house of Mr. George Reid, situated at the Corner of Boushe's lane and Union street, was discovered to be on fire. Mr. Reid with his family occupied the upper apartments of the house, and the fire having originated below, gained such an ascendancy before it was discovered, that they had scarce time enough to escape from its ravages ; we wish we could say that they all escaped; but distressing to relate, the apprentice boys (three in number) who lodged in the garret, had their retreat entirely cut off before they were apprised of the danger. One of them leaped from the window, and by that means was saved, the other two perished in the flames! They were both promising lads, and their loss must prove a severe affliction to their parents. The flames soon communicated to the adjacent buildings, and in two hours time every house on Boushe's and Marsden's lanes, with one or two exceptions, and the whole of Union street, as far as its intersection with Church street, were either consumed, or pulled down to stay the progress of the devouring element. As usual, there was a total absence of every thing like system; every one thought he had a right to direct and advise, and but for a few active citizens, there is no telling where the mischief would have stopped. Had the wind blown strong from the South, at least one half the town must have been laid in ashes : as it is, the damage has not been very considerable; the buildings being nearly all decayed and of little value. Mr. Reid is the principal sufferer; he had stock on hand to the amount of $4000. He lost everything.