Newspaper Tidbit: Fire at Dumfries (1847)

Baltimore Sun (Maryland)
3 May 1847

FIRE AT DUMFRIES, (Va) -- Eighteen Houses Burned

A correspondent of the Washington Union, writing from Dumfries, Va., states that on Wednesday last, a fire broke out in Mrs. Boyle's house, opposite the brick tavern, and destroyed nearly all the houses at the east end of the town; the house of Mr. Dunnington; the large three story, frame, containing about thirty rooms, belonging to the Colquhoun's and Dunnington's heirs; the old baking house; Mrs. Waters', Mr. Allen's, and several other houses, in all 18, were consumed.  About 40 persons were turned out of their homes.

Nearly all the men were absent, engaged in the fisheries on the Potomac. There was an awful silence -- no bells, no engines -- and the inmates of the houses, mostly females, looking on in mute despair.  Such was the dryness of the houses, and so rapid was the progress of the flames, that but few saved anything but their wearing apparel.