From the Richmond Enquirer, 5/15/1861, p. 1, c. 3
Destructive
Fire.
A fire broke out yesterday in the
large Wholesale Grocery and Commission House of Bridgford & Company, corner of
20th and Cary streets, which resulted in the speedy destruction of
that building, and also the adjoining Wholesale Grocery and Ship Chandlery
establishment of James H. Beegleston.
The fire communicated to the “Old
Quaker Church,” and to Dibrell’s Ware house, but was arrested in time to save
them. Luther Libby’s Warehouse, on the opposite side of the street, was
seriously threatened, but escaped altogether. The fire companies acted with
their accustomed promptness, and succeeded beyond the expectations of the
lookers on in the quickness with which they arrested the devouring element. A
lighter draught steam engine is needed, to enable the firemen to get around
buildings with greater facility.
The houses consumed belonged to E.
Berkeley, Esq., one of the legatees(?) in the estate of the late John Enders.
The loss is estimated at $30,000, the whole of which, we learn, is covered by
insurance in the several offices of this city.
Mr. E. Bossieux’s stable and
blacksmith shop adjoining Mr. Beegleston’s warehouse, was also destroyed, by the
walls of the warehouse falling in upon, crushing it down and setting fire to the
ruins. Mr. Bossieux loses one or two thousand dollars by the destruction of his
property.
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