CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 577, 6 November 1869, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

THE RECENT FIRE. (FEOM OXJE OWN COBBESBOtfDENT.) Nov. 3. I have to record the fact of Charleston having been visited by a serious calamity—a fire—which has reduced eight buildings to ashes. About 10 p.m. last evening, fire was observed in the bar-parlour of the Commercial Hotel, Princes street, kept by Miss Heggarty. It quickly spread "to the adjoining houses, the Black Bull, occupied by Mr Mirfin, on the one side, and the greengrocery store of Mr Taylor on the other. No hopes could be entertained of saving Messrs Perrett and Brownlie's establishment, which adjoined the Black Bull. The fire was burning furiously at this time, and the Bank and buildings on the opposite side of the way were in much danger, but, through great exertions being used, the roofs and fronts were covered with blankets, which were continually wetted. The greatest exertions were used, and successfully, to stop the

further progress of the flames, by pulling down the building formerly occupied by Mr Garnett, as a hardware store. At this place all the energies of the crowd were centred, and too much praise cannot be accorded to the many gentlemen who assisted, as the building was levelled by the application of thirty axes and two gangs of men with ropes. By this time Mr M'Carthy's race was turned down the street, a double line was formed, and buckets of water continually kept going, materially assisting in keeping the fire down. From the time the fire was discovered, to its final extinction, one hour only elapsed. A subscription has already been started, for the benefit of the sufferers, several of our tradesmen liberally coming forward. The total, as near as I can ascertain, is about £ISOO. The fire originated by the breaking of a kerosene lamp.