The Daily Madisonian

EXTENSIVE FIRE—PROPOSED RELIEF.

Between eight and nine o'clock last night, and during the performance of "Beauty and the Beast," an alarm was given in the National Theatre that the oil room, in the rear of the building, was on fire. Fortunately, the large audience and the members of the theatrical corps were enabled with safety to effect their escape. The theatre was scarcely vacated, before the flames burst through the roof in the rear, and, owing to interior dryness, but a few minutes elapsed before the immense body was in flames, and large ignited coals, like meteors, fell in showers in every direction. The scene was indeed awfully sublime, and was witnessed by thousands of both sexes and all conditions. Nothing but the large walls of the edifice are standing. Mr. Burton was the lessee, and we have been informed that he has suffered a very heavy loss in the destruction of his entire wardrobe, independently of the suspension of his amusements. The loss of property, however, was not confined to the theatre; the fire was communicated to buildings almost immediately adjoining, several of which shared the same fate as the theatre, while others had their roofs burnt off; of course furniture and other effects were much damaged in their removal. In all, about nine houses and three or four stables and out-buildings suffered from the conflagration. The Globe office was in imminent danger, but to the wind blowing in an opposite direction, and the efforts of the firemen may be attributed its escape.

Since writing the above, we have been requested to publish the following

Notice—A meeting of citizens and strangers will be held in Washington, at Fuller's Hotel, to-morrow, at 8 o'clock, for the purpose of arranging a Ball, to take place on Monday or Tuesday evening next, at Carusi's Saloon, for the benefit of the unfortunate performers at the National Theatre.

Washington, March 6, 1845.